Category: Mosaic Artistry

William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr., is a legendary singer-songwriter, record producer, record executive, and co-founder of Motown Records. Robinson and his group, The Miracles, met Berry Gordy who was impressed with Robinson’s vocals and ambitious songwriting. With his help they released “Got a Job.” It was the beginning of a successful collaboration and the beginnings of Motown.

If any artist could brag about his contribution to the pop culture canon, it’s Smokey Robinson.

His career is filled with so many “he was there” moments it’s a wonder he doesn’t recall them with the swagger of a conquering hero: songwriting and singing as a teenager in Detroit; co-founding Motown Records with Berry Gordy; creating 26 Top 40 hits with his group The Miracles; helping to spark racial integration of popular music in the 1960s; discovering hitmakers like Diana Ross and the Supremes; penning tunes for a jaw-droppingly diverse group of artists including Marvin Gaye, The Beatles, The Jackson Five, Kim Carnes, Linda Ronstadt; and releasing smash hits as solo artist well into the 1980s.

Aretha Franklin is one of America’s greatest singers and one of best singers the world has seen. She sang songs that will heard forever. It was in the 1960’s that I heard this new voice, she sang like no other, she sang r&b with a gospel sensibility and with her own style. Continue reading “Aretha Franklin”

Ray Charles may not be a person you know a lot about. You may know more about his songs than the person.He was considered by many to be a genius. Ray Charles was blind, but he became one of the greatest entertainers of all time. How he was able to accomplish so much in his 73 years was incredible. During this virus era, I wanted to do a mosaic of someone authentic, energizing, and truly an original. It is my hope you will be uplifted by this mosaic and his story. Continue reading “Ray Charles”

Coltrane had an immense impact on the music world. He revolutionized jazz with his innovative, demanding techniques while showing a deep reverence for sounds from other locales that included Africa, Latin America, the Far East and South Asia.

Continue reading “John Coltrane”

There were many reasons I wanted to do Sam Cooke. I didn’t know before I started researching him how outspoken Sam Cooke was on the topic of civil rights and equality. He was one of Mohamed Ali’s closest friends. There are conspiracy theories about his death. Continue reading “Sam Cooke”

I have been a fan of Hugh Masekela since the 1960’s. Masekela was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, and singer. He died in 2018 at the age of 78. He has been called the father of South African jazz. He was known for his antiapartheid songs like “Bring Him Back Alive”, a song about freeing Nelson Mandela when he was imprisoned. Continue reading “Hugh Masekela”

I started listening to Gladys Knight, the Empress of Soul, in the mid 1960’s. She is 74 years old, in this mosaic she is approximately 62, she has been performing through her teenage and adult life for almost sixty years. And she still has strong vocals and a hard working performing style. She just performed at the Super Bowl this year. Continue reading “Gladys Knight”

This mosaic shows Sonny musing, contemplative and reflective. I started listening to jazz when I was in the 8th grade in 1961. At that time Sonny Rollins was 31 and he was already an established celebrated jazz tenor saxophonist. Continue reading “Saxophone Colossus, Sonny Rollins”

Aretha Franklin is an American icon. Aretha grew up in Detroit, the heart of R&B in the 60’s and 70’s. She was the ‘Queen of Soul’ for her whole career. No one during her life time dethroned her. Aretha was in life and even in death one of a kind. There are many things I think about when I do a mosaic. One thought is, “What image am I going to use?” Continue reading “Aretha Franklin”