Jazz: Winter 2024

Monarch Jazz Recommendations

ETHAN IVERSON
Technically Acceptable

Ethan Iverson’s latest album showcases his versatility as a pianist and bandleader steering two distinct trios through a compelling musical journey. The synergy with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Simón Wilson on one hand and the dynamic interplay with Simón Wilson and drummer Vinnie Sperrazza on the other highlights Iverson’s ability to navigate diverse rhythmic landscapes. The album’s standout feature is Iverson’s original compositions, which offer a fresh and captivating perspective on contemporary jazz. His pianistic prowess, combined with the cohesive chemistry of both trios, creates a rich, sonic tapestry that captivates listeners with its innovation and emotive depth.

KEYON HARROLD
Foreverland

Keyon Harrold’s Foreverland is a poignant exploration of positivity, love, loss, and vulnerability woven together into a tapestry of musical brilliance. The album beautifully captures the essence of human emotions, with Harrold’s piano serving as a conduit for soul-stirring narratives. The inclusion of special guests, including the dynamic Common, adds a layer of high-octane energy and diversity to the project. Each track unfolds like a heartfelt story, immersing the listener in a range of emotions. Harrold’s ability to blend introspective moments with the vibrant contributions of collaborators makes Foreverland a compelling and emotionally resonant musical experience that transcends genres and leaves a lasting impression.

ULYSSES OWENS JR.
A New Beat

Ulysses Owens Jr. unveils the dynamic prowess of the next jazz generation in A New Beat, his latest ensemble venture, Generation Y. This album is a thrilling exploration of modern jazz, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation. Owens, a masterful drummer, leads a cadre of emerging talents through a sonic journey that showcases their technical brilliance and imaginative improvisation. The synergy within Generation Y is palpable as each musician contributes distinct colors to the collective canvas. From inventive compositions to spirited solos, A New Beat captures the spirit of contemporary jazz, affirming Owens’s role as a torchbearer for the genre’s evolving landscape.

ADAM BALDYCH & LESZEK MOZDZER
Passacaglia

Leszek Możdżer and Adam Baldych create a harmonious blend of classical and contemporary jazz. Released in 2019, their album showcases a remarkable synergy, with Bałdych’s virtuosic violin complementing Możdżer’s expressive piano. The title track, “Passacaglia,” exemplifies their prowess, weaving intricate musical dialogues and showcasing their improvisational skills. The duo effortlessly navigates through diverse emotions, from melancholy to exuberance, creating a captivating sonic journey. The album, characterized by its technical brilliance and emotional depth, establishes Bałdych and Możdżer as a formidable pair in the jazz scene, leaving a lasting impression on listeners with their inventive interpretations and collaborative artistry.

KINGA GLYK
Real Life

Real Life, the latest album by bassist and composer Kinga Głyk, showcases her exceptional talent and musical versatility. With a dynamic fusion of jazz, funk, and soul, Głyk demonstrates virtuosity on the bass, delivering intricate melodies and captivating rhythms. The album’s diverse tracks explore various moods and emotions, from upbeat and lively compositions to soulful and introspective moments. Głyk’s compositions are both technically impressive and emotionally resonant, supported by a stellar ensemble of musicians. Real Life is a testament to Głyk’s mastery of her craft and offers a compelling and enjoyable listening experience for fans of contemporary jazz and beyond.

SEPTEMBER GRAY
Proprietor of September Gray Fine Art Gallery

BIO 

Gray’s life’s work is a reflection of her enduring passion for the arts. Following a noteworthy career in the performing arts, Gray launched a successful fine art consultancy practice wherein she was celebrated for her ability to assist corporate and private collectors with articulating and executing single acquisition and long–term collecting strategies. Gray’s career in the arts and decade as an art consultant inform her role as gallerist. An avid collector, Gray has a talent for “speaking the language” of both artist and collector and a knack for connecting the gallery’s clients to works by artists whose vision and methodologies resonate with their individual tastes, complement their existing collections and honor their overall investment strategy and appetite for risk. Gray holds a B.A. in Art History from DePaul University. A committed art education advocate, Gray serves on a number of non-profit boards and is co-founder of The Gray Foundation, an organization committed to building a world of enriched life options for youth through the promotion of art and education. Gray shares art news and collection strategies in her electronic quarterly journal, The Gray Book.

https://septembergrayart.com/

JUSTIN SULIVAN, CFP
Senior Vice President Market Leader

BIO 

Justin oversees a team of professionals striving to achieve the highest level of client satisfaction. His top priority is that the team not only meets, but also exceeds the client’s expectations. Through Justin’s leadership and commitment, he helps ensure that the client benefits form a full complement of investment, trust, financial planning and private banking services to help them achieve their financial goals.

XAVIER DANIELS

BIO  

Paintings are influenced by his experiences with brotherhood at both Morehouse and as a firefighter. In creating his art, he is actively thinking about the perception of black men and attempting to be a catalyst for a different view on the black male experience. According to Daniels, the conversations happening in popular culture about black males leave them invisible in discussions about themselves. The portraits of black men Daniels creates are large in an effort to symbolically assert black male presence into those conversations. His work has been shown around the world through Almine Rech and Richard Beavers Gallery. Xavier lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia.

https://xavierdaniels.com/

MARRYAM MOMA

BIO

A Tanzanian-Nigerian visual artist based in Atlanta, GA, is renowned for her prolific exhibition history. Moma’s dedication to her art has earned her prestigious residencies at The Migration Artist Residency, Atlanta, GA, and a blended residency and teaching opportunity at The Swimming HoleFoundation in Upstate NY. The Hambidge Center for the Arts awarded her a Distinguished Artist Fellowship, enriching her narrative-driven solo exhibitions like “ICONoclasts.” This showing intertwines paper cut elements to celebrate and empower revolutionary Black figures. Moma continues to innovate within her practice, expanding her presence through murals, public art installations and exhibitions including an indoor mural for Clark Atlanta universities student innovation lounge sponsored by Dell Technologies and Home depot, ICONoclasts Atlanta building-wide public installation sponsored by Dashboard and If Not Us then Who public digital art mural sponsored by A&E Atlanta. 

https://www.marryammoma.com/

DL WARFIELD

BIO

Atlanta-based artist DL Warfield, a veteran artist who has consistently proven himself a talent of the highest caliber – one who has delivered at the highest levels repeatedly throughout his life and career. Yes, many artists are talented; DL Warfield is prolific.

Warfield’s body of work proves his instinctive knowledge and understanding of pop culture and has given him a permanent place at the cutting edge of the new and next. From St. Louis to New York City, Atlanta and worldwide, his talent, skill and endless creativity have taken him to the top of his field again and again, and he intends to push forward wherever a path to artistic excellence can be forged.

The following is a snapshot of his works and clientele. 

Nike, Sprite, Heineken, Anheuser-Busch, Geffen Records, Sony Entertainment, DreamWorks, Sony Music, OutKast Inc., Universal Records, Boys & Girls Clubs, HBO, Virgin Records, Coca-Cola, Adidas, Vibe Magazine, automotive giant Ford Motor Company. He designed the branding for the City of Atlanta’s Film and Entertainment office and at the same time, His fine art has been featured at national landmarks, including the Time-Life Building in New York City, and the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY, which he loaned two original pieces for three years.

https://dlwarfield.com/

EDDIE FONTNO

BIO

A native of the Bronx, New York, is most inspired by the brilliance and uniqueness of excellence within the African American culture. The subjects of his work have all possessed a transformative greatness, which paved the way and changed the lives of many, providing a guiding light for the world around them. Fontno takes a subtle approach and focuses on that “light” to capture the detailed nuances through his usage of graphite and oil paint (black and white) that enhances the contrast between light and dark. Fontno’s never-ending quest to find truth and beauty in its most natural form is reflective in the choice of figures in his pieces; paying homage to those who have in some way shaped his view of the world and positively affected his evolution as an artist, father and man. Fontno attended the High School of Art & Design in New York, New York and Howard University in Washington, DC. His work has been displayed in the White House (Madam Vice President Kamala Harris’ private office) and the much-acclaimed October Gallery in Philadelphia, Pa. He has also been commissioned for portraits throughout the Northeast region. 

www.eddiefontno.com

RSVP

We are no longer accepting RSVPs for the Art of Luxury Lifestyle Dinner, but you are welcome to RSVP Here for the Portrait Reveal Event from
9:30PM to 11:30 PM!

ROBERT KOOL BELL| LE KOOL CHAMPAGNE

BIO

For many years, Robert Kool Bell, Leader and Co-founder of Kool & The Gang, sought out Grand Cru Vineyards from owners that have been selling for generations and decided to work with Paul Berthelot a Multi-Vintage producer since 1884. Voila The Celebration Champagne was born! 

https://lekoolchampagne.com

EDDIE FONTNO

BIO

A native of the Bronx, New York, is most inspired by the brilliance and uniqueness of excellence within the African American culture. The subjects of his work have all possessed a transformative greatness, which paved the way and changed the lives of many, providing a guiding light for the world around them. Fontno takes a subtle approach and focuses on that “light” to capture the detailed nuances through his usage of graphite and oil paint (black and white) that enhances the contrast between light and dark. Fontno’s never-ending quest to find truth and beauty in its most natural form is reflective in the choice of figures in his pieces; paying homage to those who have in some way shaped his view of the world and positively affected his evolution as an artist, father and man. Fontno attended the High School of Art & Design in New York, New York and Howard University in Washington, DC. His work has been displayed in the White House (Madam Vice President Kamala Harris’ private office) and the much-acclaimed October Gallery in Philadelphia, Pa. He has also been commissioned for portraits throughout the Northeast region.

Website: www.eddiefontno.com