Novi Maleševski Zurli at Discostan

I had the pleasure of seeing Novi Maleševski Zurli (Milo Destanovski and Jessica Ruiz on zurla and Dominique Rodriguez on Tapan) live at Discostan along with some of my favorite DJs playing some of the most diverse music from around the world. Their sound reminded me of the murli played by Jairam Jogi.

Gonzalo Bergara Quartet at the Blue Whale

Went to see some the incredible Gonzalo Bergara Quartet at the Blue Whale in downtown Los Angeles with a few friends. Here are some sketches I painted during the first half of their set. 

Whalesound at Crossroads Sam Francis Gallery

I went to see my friend Whalesound perform at the Sam Francis Gallery at the Crossroads school. It was the gallery opening for an exhibition curated by Christine Nguyen of Sea Moon She called "Relative Dimensions" with work by Deborah Aschheim, Matthew Brandt and Christine Nguyen. I managed a few sketches of Whalesound performing with Varuna on tabla.

Tarek Yamani at the Blue Whale

I went to see Tarek Yamani's solo piano performance at the Blue Whale. There's something special about being lost in music, and letting the brush flow. These are some watercolor sketches, before and during the performance.

Eid Festival Anaheim 2013

Enjoyed some food, friends, family, games and music at the Eid Festival 2013 in Anaheim. Here's a sketch I created of a great performance by a doumbek and flute player at the show.

Elephants with Guns live at Sounds and Vision

Went to see my friends Elephants with Guns at Sounds and Vision, presented by Cannibal Flower and Venice Grind. Great show, and as always LC put together an amazing mix of pieces in the gallery, live paintings, DJing and live music. I managed a sketch of the band.

elephants with guns at sounds and vision

Red Baraat and La Chamba at FIGat7th Downtown Festival

Joined lots of friends for Red Baraat and La Chamba live at FIGat7th in downtown Los Angeles. What an amazing show! Here are some watercolor sketches from the performance. These ones were painted straight to paper without any pencils, which is fun. The first is of La Chamba and the second is of members of Red Baraat.

la chamba watercolor figat7th

red baraat watercolor figat7th

Yemen Blues at the Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park

After an important protest in solidarity with Trayvon Martin and the inequality of justice as applied particularly to African Americans in the US, I head over to the Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park for a beautiful concert by Yemen Blues. It made me feel great to hear music from all over played and enjoyed by people of all races, as a reminder, that things can be better.

Yemen Blues live at the Levitt Pavilion

Yemen Blues live at the Levitt Pavilion

Las Cafateras at Grand Performances

Hopped on the metro and caught a great noon show by Las Cafateras at Grand Performances. Here's a sketch I created during their performance.

Las Cafaterias at Grand Performances

Metalachi at Levitt Pavilion Macarthur Park

Enjoyed a fun show by Metalachi at Levitt Pavilion in Macarthur Park. They play mariachi metal, and it is really a lot of fun. I managed some sketches of the larger than life musicians. Good times.

Metalachi at Levitt Pavilion Macarthur Park

Adunni and Nefertiti and Martha Redbone at Grand Performances

Dropped by Grand Performances to see Adunni and Neferetiti and Martha Redbone for another show and some painting on saturday. It got a bit cold, so I only stayed through the first two acts, missing Dessy Di Lauro, but it was fantastic. Adunni and Nefertiti came out for a soundcheck about before the show, and immediately they were captivating. Their voices, merged into one along with drumming was mesmerizing. Redbone with their steel guitar, banjo, vocals etc were so full of energy and fun. Here are sketches I made at the show.

Adunni and Nefertiti at Grand Performances watercolor sketch

Martha Redbone at Grand Performances watercolor sketch

Nina Simone Tribute at Grand Performances

I went to a beautiful free concert at Grand Performances in tribute to Nina Simone. It was a great night of classic Nina Simone songs played by a great group of musicians. The entire area was packed with people. My friend and I walked all around to find a good spot throughout the show, and eventually settled on standing with a view of behind the stage. It was actually a good spot, considering the place was so packed. It was an interesting way to enjoy the show. It was from there that I put this little sketch together.

Sketch I created at the show from behind the stage.

Fishtank Ensemble at the Levitt Pavilion

I went over to join the wonderful folks from Art Division, who were creating a community mural. It was fun drawing with artists from Art Division and with them, encouraging little kids to join the fun. Afterwards, I watched Fishtank Ensemble perform at the Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park. Summer has begun!

Fishtank Ensemble painted live at the Levitt Pavilion

Fishtank Ensemble painted live at the Levitt Pavilion

Alan Broadbent - Heart to Heart Album Cover

Two time Grammy winner, Jazz pianist and composer Alan Broadbent's new solo piano album "Heart to Heart" is out now, featuring a watercolor sketch of mine on the cover. I painted it live at the Catalina Jazz Club during a performance by the Charlie Haden Quartet.

Alan Broadbent album cover album - "Heart to Heart"

Purchase a print of the cover art - Purchase the album from Amazon - CD Baby - Google Play - iTunesThe album features these tracks played solo by Alan:1. "Hello my Lovely" by Charlie Haden2. "Heart to Heart" by Alan Broadbent3. "Alone Together" by Arthur Shwartz4. "Now and Then" by Alan Broadbent5. "Journey Home" by Alan Broadbent6. "Blue in Green" by Miles Davis and Bill Evans7. "Love is the Thing" by Alan Broadbent8. "Lonely Woman" by Ornette Coleman9. "Cherokee" by Ray NoblePurchase a print of the cover art - Purchase the album from Amazon - CD Baby - Google Play - iTunes

Elephants with Guns at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 2013

I checked out a short set with the new lineup of the band Elephants with Guns at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles' Rhythm Village, put on by Rukus Avenue. It was a short and powerful set. I can't wait to see a longer set by the band. I managed a few quick sketches of Jayson Joseph and Nikhil Cooper.

Art of Music Night 2: Uzbekistan and Mongolia

A week after opening night, we had our second event. This time we had Elephants with Guns perform a concert. The turn out at the Levantine Cultural Center was again amazing, and I shared stories of traveling through Uzbekistan and Mongolia. Jorge "Tyme" Martinez had put together some beautiful artwork for the Elephants. The t-shirt designs were amazing and everyone wanted one. It was so much fun meeting people and connecting to their stories as well as sharing some of the experience I had as a way of connecting people in LA to the people across the world in Uzbekistan and Mongolia.We even celebrated Jorge's and Medha's birthdays with more cake of course! 

Rupa and the April Fishes at the Mint

I went and enjoyed a show by Rupa and the April Fishes at the Mint. Here are some sketches. The one at the end is of a band called Bubbelah, which was a lot of fun too. My friend Robin Sukhadia played tabla with Rupa and the April Fishes on a few songs.

Bubbeleh at the Mint

Robin Sukhadia

Safa Shokrai at the Mint

Rupa

Saul Williams at the Hotel Cafe

I had the pleasure of seeing Saul Williams at the Hotel Cafe last night with my friends Tyme and Jayson. Here are some watercolor sketches I managed while being inspired by some powerful spoken word performances. I loved the way Saul invited other poets at the show up to share their beautiful work and created an intimate feeling by carrying a conversation with the audience. I managed a sketch of the talented Gina Loring who opened for Saul as well.

EWG at Sofar LA

Thanks to Sofar LA I got to see some really talented bands at a generous fellow named Rocco's place which he opened up to some great musical acts in downtown Los Angeles. I managed a sketch during each short set by York, Tyler Lyle, Elephants with Guns and Chasing Kings.

EWG at Tuesday Night Cafe

I got to see my friends Elephants with Guns perform at the Tuesday Night Cafe, and managed this quick sketch.