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Jazz Artist Peter Butler presents Jazz Art, Paintings & Poems

Visitations

Tunes lyrically toned,
Notes evocatively honed,
Mandeville memories
Hauntingly cloned.

Displaying “the spirit of the best New Orleans clarinetists”, Dr Michael White follows in the footsteps of traditional jazz greats at Mandeville’s legendary Dew Drop Hall. View Blog

He der man!

Silk shirt, snazzy dresser,
Hot trumpet, deft touch,
Sweet notes, gravelly vocals,
Greg Stafford, “He der man!”

Modern day stalwart of traditional jazz, blues and old time gospel music, New Orleans star Greg Stafford conjures up echoes from the past in a hypnotic performance at Mandeville’s legendary Dew Drop Hall. View Blog

Neighbors Well Met

Joshua and Sandra in joyous duet,
New friends, neighbors well met,
With shared spiritual guide
Despite the Atlantic divide.

It was a magical evening. We had been invited to visit opera singer Joshua Walker and his wife Sandra in their delightful New Orleans home. Joshua gave us a stunning private rendition of "Old Man River" followed by an exhilarating duet with Sandra. So I promised them this portrait. I hope it does them justice.

Esther Enthrals Her Fans

Hail the new kid on the block,
No chip, but a pure golden rock.
A musical queen and songstress supreme,
Thrillingly fulfilling her dream.

When Esther O'Conner asked me to paint her portrait I was both thrilled and honoured. For a while I hesitated, wanting to be sure I could capture her in enraptured performance. Then, watching and listening to her, discovering her values and following her rise to stardom as both singer and song writer, I could resist no longer.

Lionel Ferbos, Louisiana Legend

Jazz in Bourbon bars and in Jackson Square,
Jazz at the Palm Court, when Lionel is there.
Of Louisiana legends & New Orleans Greats,
Lionel is peerless, on trumpet at ninety-eight!

98 years young, Lionel Ferbos is a proud, dignified man, and has played trumpet for over 70 years. In the early 1930s he joined John Handy's band despite remonstrating "I don't play all the wild jazz"! Now he is "the last man standing" of the early jazz greats and still plays weekly gigs at The Palm Court Jazz Cafe on Decatur Street, New Orleans.

Let the Good Times Roll!

Hail Dave Bartholomew
Song writer supreme
To whom honour is due
For his Big Band Beat
And Rhythm and Blues dream.
"Ain't that a Shame!"
Added to his fame,
So surely "Let the Good Times Roll!"

Legendary music man and song writer, 89 year old Dave Bartholomew playing at the Palm Court in New Orleans. Read the full story behind this portrait in the artist's Dave Bartholomew Blog.

Barry Martyn at the 100 Club

Hail to a Legend of Jazz
And showman supreme
Whose flare and pizzaz
Revived the New Orleans Dream.

New Orleans based jazz great Barry Martyn in characteristic form on drums with The Young Bloods at The 100 Club in Oxford Street in February, 2010. Born in London, Barry moved to the USA in 1972 and has been a key figure in the revival of New Orleans Jazz since 1984. "I hail from London," said Barry. "In fact I was conceived under that grand piano."

Take Two Sammys

Take two Rimingtons in full tonal flow
Sammy and son in stunning jazz duo
Maestro and acolyte stealing the show.

Sammy Jnr. shoulder to shoulder with his famous father and jazz great, Sammy Rimington, in concert with Sammy's UK New Orleans All Star Band at Chilham, Kent, on 6 February, 2010.

Mike Pointon on Trombone

Lips tightly pursed,
Cheeks fit to burst,
Eyes in a glaze,
Instrument ablaze,
The trombonist takes it away.

British Star of New Orleans Jazz, trombonist Mike Pointon lets rip with his Lakefront Loungers at the Ken Colyer Trust 2008 Autumn Jazz Parade in Hemsby, Norfolk. Full of enthusiasm, Mike is a mainstay on the UK Jazz scene, renowned for his sense of humour and individualistic, raffish style.

Sammy Rimington on Clarinet

Eyes shut yet full of passion,
Cheeks aglow in fiery gusto,
Lips pursed, tones sweetly nursed,
As fingers deftly fashion
Smooth notes in tuneful flow.
Sammy plays it again.

No New Orleans style jazz festival would be complete without the imposing presence of star performer Sammy Rimington. Sammy began his spectacular jazz career with Ken Colyer's band in 1960. Here he is starring at the 20th Anniversary Ken Colyer Trust Jazz Parade in 2008.

Cuff Billett on Trumpet

Caressing the high notes
Pitching to low,
A jazz virtuoso
In enrapturing solo.
Improvisation off the cuff.
The trumpeter struts his stuff.

Jazz trumpeter Cuff Billett gives a rousing, virtuoso performance with The Lakefront Loungers at the Ken Colyer Trust 2008 Autumn Jazz Parade. Roguish, even eccentric, Cuff is famous for his superb talent and intense, intuitive, warm-toned style.

Annie Hawkins on Bass

All eyes on Annie
Bass virtuoso supreme
Her resonant performance
Any Jazz fan's dream.

Thrillingly vivacious, Australian born Annie Hawkins might be petite but she is a virtuoso jazz artiste. She has been described as “driving yet sensitive” and “Europe’s first lady of the double bass!” Annie moved to Britain in 1962, working with Ken Colyer in the 1970s and then with Sammy Rimington. Here she is starring with Sammy’s International Jazz Band.

Pete Lay on Drums

Genius Jazz
Razzamatazz
Drum roll, rhythmic beat
Pete Lay turns up the heat.

“The drummer is the foundation of the traditional jazz band. He is the man responsible for laying down the beat and keeping time.” Yet he takes a back seat hidden behind the trumpets, the trombones and the saxophones. In this portrait I’ve focused just on jazz drummer Pete Lay as his rhythmic beat turns up the heat.

Eyes on the Master

Saxes reach crescendo
And bridge a generation
With rhythmic syncopation.
Spotlight on the Starlet
With eyes on the Pro.

Amy Roberts, the new kid on the block, accompanying maestro Sammy Rimington at the Ken Colyer Trust 2008 Autumn Jazz Parade. Amy has her own band and plays clarinet, sax and flute. She has starred alongside Mardi Gras musicians in New Orleans and is now studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Double Bass Ace

"Fingers" Williams
Setting the pace
Passion in action
Double bass ace.
Joyous Jazz Fusion
In tonal embrace.

How could I not be inspired by Trefor ‘Fingers’ Williams' intensely passionate performances on Bertha, his double bass, at the 2008 Ken Colyer Trust Jazz Parade? Trefor is a driving and inventive player who adds sympathetic support and superlative solo work to the dynamics of jazz.

Honky Tonk Time

Eric on banjo,
Strumming on strings,
Emile on piano,
Tickling the pins.
Honky Tonk time
With a glass of fine wine!

Eric Webster, banjo, and Emile van Pelt, piano, performing at the Ken Colyer Trust 2008 Jazz Parade. Emile plays piano in the style of the great US Southern States jazz musicians. Of Eric, a critic stated: ‘Mention should be made of his unobtrusive but essential banjo.’

Good Time Jazz

Skipping to the rhythm
Dapper and trim
Grand Marshall Jimbo
Leads the parade
Dazzling with gusto.
New Orleans Jazz
And brollies on show.

Braced against a cool October breeze, sprightly Grand Marshal Jimbo leads the Umbrella Parade at the Ken Colyer Trust 2008 Jazz Festival in Hemsby, Norfolk, where Good Time Jazz was enjoyed by one and all.

Emile on Drums

Good time Jazz in deepest Kent
With New Orleans beat to turn up the heat
Emile on drums, inspired, intense,
A Fallen Hero with the world at his feet.

Emile Martyn, founder of The Fallen Heroes, on drums at their April, 2009, "Jazz in the Barn" gig in Throwley, Kent. The Fallen Heroes are famed for their high energy performances of blues, funky jazz and contemporary New Orleans street beat. Emile and his brother Ben, bass player and vocalist, are the sons of legendary New Orleans jazz musician Barry Martyn.

Dom Pipkin Pumps Piano

Jazz on the Farm
In deepest Kent,
Dominic on piano
Giving vocals full vent.
A Fallen Hero
Raising the roof of the barn.

Dom Pipkin, erstwhile companion of The Fallen Heroes, is said to "flay the organ within a millimetre" of the great Jazz organist Jimmy Smith. He writes and sings his own songs "like a ring tailed racoon". Here he is starring with The Fallen Heroes at their, "Jazz in the Barn" gig in Throwley, Kent.

Bob Thomas at The Long Arm
and Short Arm

Jazz on the Island, Jazz in the Inn,
Lemsford's own Satchmo
On trumpet in full swing.

Fans take the long view,
Dismissive of the short,
Backing the Thom Cats with total support.

A portrait of our very own village “Satchmo”, Bob Thomas of "Bob Thomas and The Thomcats" fame, aimed at keeping jazz alive at the Long and the Short Arm in Lemsford, Hertfordshire, where fans enjoy the Thomcats’ monthly gigs.

Tim on Tuba

Wistful Tim
In sentient muse,
Dwarfed 'neath the brim
Of his sousaphone's rim.
A supernova gone sonic
As Jazz sparks the fuse.

Tim Curtis playing sousaphone with Bob Thomas and the Thomcats at the Long and the Short Arm in Lemsford, Hertfordshire, where fans enjoy the Thomcats’ monthly jazz gigs. Tim has played both sousaphone and tuba with jazz bands in London and the south east since 1968.

Sax, Trumpet and Bass

Triple ace,
Sax, trumpet and bass,
Rico, Bonner and Ben,
Fallen Heroes' men,
Setting the pace.
Martyn on vocals,
Fourth ace high,
As the Heroes reach for the sky!

Tony Rico, saxophone, Paul Bonner, trumpet and Ben Martyn, bass and vocals, coming up trumps at The Fallen Heroes' April, 2009, "Jazz in the Barn" concert in Throwley, Kent.

Double Take

Teasing the high notes, caressing the low,
Fingers aflow, instruments aglow,
As Adrian beguiles with hypnotic solos.
Sax and clarinet in a virtual duet.

Adrian Cox enthralling jazz aficionados in star performances on saxophone, silhouetted by the stage lighting, and on clarinet, in full spotlight, at the 2009 Ken Colyer Trust Autumn Jazz Parade in Hemsby, Norfolk.

Burt on Banjo

Trad Jazz at its best
With Burtie Butler on banjo,
Each gig a joyous quest
For the New Orleans beat to flow,
As he and his Pilgrims reach for the grail.

Burt Butler and His Jazz Pilgrims hail from Kent where they play a variety of venues including The Duke of Cumberland in Whitstable. During a recent trip to New Orleans, Burt played with Steam Boat Willie and his New Orleans Jazz Band at Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street.

Frederic John on Trombone

Melodic resonance
Echoes against stone,
Gospel music with
Freddie John on trombone.

Acclaimed Swedish trombonist Frederic John in a concert of New Orleans style gospel and spiritual music with Sammy Rimington's International Jazz Band at the United Reform Church in Folkestone, Kent, on 22 October, 2009.

Measured Beat and Rolling Peal

Like a preacher at the lectern
Or a helmsman at the wheel,
The drummer on percussion,
Fired by passion and by zeal,
Steers the course for the jazz band
With measured beat and rolling peal.

Keith Minter on drums with Sammy Rimington's International Jazz Band in a concert of New Orleans gospel and spiritual music at the United Reform Church in Folkestone, Kent. In traditional jazz bands the drummer is responsible for the beat and keeping time.

A Strummin' and a Drummin'

Cymbals afire, drums aglow,
Pat on percussion, timing the flow,
For Roger on banjo in rhythmic solo.

Pat Elms on drums and Roger Nicholls on banjo, irreplaceables with Bob Thomas and The Thomcats playing "Jazz on the Island" in Lemsford, Hertfordshire, in June, 2009. The gig raised over £1,500 for Hertfordshire Action on Disability.

Washboard Rhythm King

All eyes on Smithy,
Fingers fleeting and nimble
With each thimble a cymbal.
Washboard Rhythm King supreme.

Alan Smith, local Jazz enthusiast and promoter, playing washboard at The Long Arm and the Short Arm in Lemsford, Hertfordshire.

In his latest collection of Art & Verse giclée prints, artist and poet Peter Mark Butler presents the dazzling world of Jazz through paintings in acrylics complemented with prose.

Jazz Bands, Jazz Stars and Jazz Fans

From bass player to trombonist, trumpeter to pianist, drummer to saxophonist, Peter portrays the exquisite performances of modern day jazz greats and the exuberance of musicians in smaller bands on the jazz circuit. Following an inspirational visit to New Orleans in April, 2010, he is currently adding French Quarter Festival musicians to his collection. First and foremost is 98 year old band leader Lionel Ferbos, "the last man standing" from a bygone era of Jazz Greats, who continues on trumpet and vocals with amazingly youthful vigour.

Amongst Peter's other heroes are stars such Sammy Rimington on saxophone and clarinet, Cuff Billett on trumpet, Mike Pointon on trombone, Annie Hawkins and Trefor Williams on Double Bass, Eric Webster on Banjo, Eric van Pelt on Piano and Peter Lay on drums. Jazz fiends one and all in performance at the Ken Colyer Trust New Orleans Jazz Parade at Hemsby, Norfolk, in October, 2008.

Jazz Art - Legendary Jazz Virtuosos

Of special note are his paintings and poems featuring jazz legend Sammy Rimington in saxophone duet with up and coming jazz virtuoso Amy Roberts, enthralling fans at the Ken Colyer Trust Hemsby festival.

Jazz Paintings - The New Orleans Beat

Peter has also joined the Jazz circuit to feature 'The Fallen Heroes', famed for their high energy perfomances of blues, funky jazz and contemporary New Orleans street beat. Completed paintings and poems include band leader Emil Martyn turning up the heat on drums and vocalist Dom Pipkin pumping piano.

Rubbing Shoulders with Acker Bilk and Terry Lightfoot

Not least in Peter's ever expanding Jazz art portfolio of bands and their artistes is the Hertfordshire based jazzman of longstanding fame, Bob Thomas and The Thomcats. Before forming the Thomcats, Bob played with a numer of top bands and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Acker Bilk and Terry Lightfoot. Art & Verse prints include Bob on trumpet and fellow Thomcat, Tim Curtis on sousaphone.

Order Your Jazz Art Prints Now

An Authentication Certificate is issued with each print describing the artist's inspiration for the painting and the poem.

So welcome, jazz fans and art connoisseurs, to Peter's Art & Verse Good Time Jazz Collection. Indulge, enjoy and perchance place an order for a jazz print of your choice. To make this easy for you, please order online by using the PayPal facility immediately below which has been set up especially for the Jazz Collection.

Each Giclée print is individually produced to the very highest standards by the artist himself and personally hand signed. They are offered on archival quality paper and scaled in proportion to the painting and poem. Sizes are based on an A3 format (420 x 297 mm; 16.5 x 11.7 inches). If you prefer smaller prints, an A4 format is available (297 x 210 mm; 11.7 x 8.3 inches).

Prices per print including the Authentication Certificate are:

A3 Format: £39.00
A4 Format: £29.00

Postage: UK postage prices are listed for single items. Prices for overseas postage and for packing and postage of multiple items will be notified upon placement of orders.

Should you wish to contact artist Peter Butler, please e-mail him at:

Current Available Prints

Ordering Options

Visitations
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

He Der Man!
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Neighbors Well Met
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Esther Enthrals Her Fans
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Long live Jazz, Long live Lionel Ferbos
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Let the Good Times Roll!
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Barry Martyn at the 100 Club
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Take Two Sammys
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Mike Pointon on Trombone
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Sammy Rimington on Clarinet
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Cuff Billett on Trumpet
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Annie Hawkins on Bass
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Pete Lay on Drums
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Eyes on the Master
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Double Bass Ace
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Honky Tonk Time
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Good Time Jazz
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Emile on Drums
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Dom Pipkin Pumps Piano
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Bob Thomas and The Thomcats
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Tim on Tuba
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Sax, Trumpet and Bass
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Double Take
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Burt on Banjo
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Frederic John on Trombone
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Measured Beat and Rolling Peal
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

A Strummin' and a Drummin'
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

Washboard Rhythm King
Giclée print of painting and poem on archival quality paper including Authentication Certificate

News

Breaking News!!!

During his "volcanic" visit to New Orleans In April for The French Quarter Festival, Peter was privileged to meet a host of jazz stars including Lionel Ferbos, Dave Bartholomew, Barry Martin and Leroy Jones. He is currently working on his "New Orleans" series of jazz portraits and poems and his acrylic of 98 year old Lionel Ferbos (opposite) is his latest work to be added to his Jazz Art Collection.

STOP PRESS
Now Available - the 'Good Time Jazz' Souvenir Card Collection

Ideal for jazz fans, postcard enthusiasts or stylish greetings cards, we are pleased to announce the release of the Art & Verse 'Good Time Jazz' Souvenir postcard collection. To choose your cards and place your order online visit the Jazz Cards page.

Keeping Jazz Alive and Thriving

One of the objectives of 'The Good Time Jazz' Collection is to champion jazz and raise the profile of jazz bands, whether on the big stage or smaller, local bands. The item below about Bob Thomas & the Thomcats demonstrates this, as does the following message received from Rick Shaffer, guitar, vocals and percussion, 'The Reds'.
"Peter, Best to you in the work. I fear we my lose what is left of the jazz and blues scene, which makes your work so vital. The history is so important. I do like the style of your work.
Cheers,
Rick, The Reds"

Ken Colyer Trust Autumn Jazz Parade

The 2008 Ken Colyer Trust New Orleans Jazz Parade inspired Peter's 'Good Time Jazz Collection' of portraits and poems. He plans to add to his collection by featuring the bands and musicians in atmospheric performance at this October's Parade in Hemsby, Norfolk. You can visit the Ken Colyer Trust web site at: http://www.kencolyertrust.org

All that Jazz with Bob Thomas & The Thomcats at The Long and the Short Arm.

Everyone in the artist's village knows Bob Thomas. He is Lemsford's very own “Satchmo”, and his jazz men, The Thomcats, have entertained jazz enthusiasts at the Long and the Short Arm Inn for as long as can be remembered. But now, times they are a-changing and the jazz evenings are under threat!

So Peter painted his portrait of Bob on trumpet and penned the poem to champion him and his band and keep Good Time Jazz going at the Hertfordshire inn so that fans can continue to enjoy The Thomcat's monthly gigs.

Good Time Jazz Prints Special Offer

Select any five A3 Giclée prints from the Good Time Jazz Collection for the special price of £399.00 or any five A4 prints for £199.00.

E-mail your selection to: and you will be e-mailed regarding arrangements for payment via PayPal.

The Early Years of English Roller Hockey by Roger Pout

I owe my old school chum, Roger, a favour because he invited me to join him at last year's Ken Colyer Trust Jazz Parade which inspired my Jazz paintings and poems.

What better way to return his favour than to mention his definitive book on early English Rink Hockey containing a complete and absorbing account of the sport between the years of 1885 and 1914. The book has 233 pages and includes many old photographs of roller hockey teams, players and rinks. And by the way, keep your eyes open for the second volume which will bring the history of the game right up to date.

Please contact Roger for more information - e-mail:

Adding Impact to Art & Verse

Regular visitors to the Art & Verse Web Site might be surprised to see this new Home Page but we hope pleasantly so.

Artist and poet, Peter Mark Butler, has been working for some months on his new and exciting Good Time Jazz collection of paintings and poems, produced as archival quality giclée prints. Inspired by the musicians he has met and enthralled by their bands, he decided that they should take number one spot on his site as the new Front Page.

Peter has long wanted to update and reinvigorate his website with a fresher appeal, making it easier and more enjoyable for art enthusiasts to browse through his works. So this Good Time Jazz Home Page is just a beginning!

Meanwhile, visitors can still view the full range of Peter's collection of Art & Verse works and navigate through the main Art & Verse site.

We hope you enjoy the newly released Good Time Jazz Collection portraits and poems.