Archive of ‘concert’ category

“New paintings” Joe’s exhibition at The Ivy

Update: Joe is currently preparing new works for another exhibition at The Ivy in February 2016…

Tuesday 24th February 2015 was a big night and no mistake. Joe staged his first private view as painter at The Ivy Club’s Loft – a chance for members, guests and visitors to see 22 canvasses, fresh from his workshop.

Writing in the exhibition notes Joe spoke about how an already busy pianist became an even-busier painter:

“Painting the composers came from seeing many a dull black and white photo of them, or for the earlier ones, an over-serious portrait that had no bearing on their kaleidoscopic musical output. I set about painting them as I heard them and began work on Debussy, Beethoven, Mozart (for Classic FM), Elgar, Bach, Khachaturian.

When I paint jazz musician friends it feels very similar to playing music with them. It was a short step from jazz musicians to ballet dancers. There are visual parallels between men holding double basses and men holding dancers legs. My goal is to try to paint the music and the dance rather than just the musician or the dancer. That’s my holy grail. That is why I paint.”

Needless to say the show quickly became a party. In addition to over 150 guests, Jessie Buckley dropped by to sing a few numbers, joining Joe and a seemingly endless parade of London’s jazz greatest saxophonists, double bassists, pianists, and even a marimba player. What followed was a jazz jam watched over by paintings of so many other musicians – Claude Debussy, Miles Davis, Aram Khachaturian, Ibrahim Ferrer and Ludwig van Beethoven, to name but a few.

The exhibition continues until 28th February in The Loft, at the Ivy Club.
To buy a painting or commission one, contact: joe@joethompson.london.
Dimensions
Full list of painting dimensions:

1. The Duke        138cm x 90cm
2. Beethoven      93cm x 83cm
3. Debussy        126cm x 80cm
4. Khach        74cm x 54cm
5. Strad          74cm x 54cm
6. Ibrahim      102cm x 77cm
7. Miles          93cm x 70cm
8. Ballet study 157cm x 106cm
9. Hands 1        124cm x 85cm
10. Splits 1      205cm x 36cm
11. Splits 2      205cm x 36cm
12. Splits 3      175cm x 42cm
13. Flying        175cm x 42cm
14. Arms          175cm x 42cm
15. Bass 2        175cm x 42cm
16. Bass 3        176cm x 42cm
17. Bass 4        127cm x 41cm
18. Tree          127cm x 41cm
Self-portrait        82cm x 82cm
Jonty            95cm x 75cm
More
Less…

There’s nothing like a dame (except two dames!)

Let’s party!

In December 2014 Joe was delighted to be asked by the family of Dame Judy Dench to play (solo) for her 80th birthday party, which was a blast. Then, within 4 weeks Joe was playing (with his trio) for the 80th birthday party of Dame Judy’s fellow doyenne and friend of 55 years, Dame Maggie Smith. Two wonderful parties, two wonderful ladies, and a great way to kick off 2015.

Daily Mail: Jessie Buckley and Joe at the 100 Club

As reported in such an august publication as the UK’s very own Daily Mail, Joe was joined onstage by Jessie Buckley at his 100 Club birthday bash in November 2013, for a trio of beautiful songs. In the breathless coverage that followed it was established that:

“Jessie’s Cabaret turn is a hit
Preparing to star in the West End opposite Jude Law is surely nerve-wracking enough, but it didn’t stop actress Jessie Buckley finding time to put in a remarkable singing performance at the legendary 100 Club in London’s Oxford Street.

Killarney-born Jessie, 23, will play Princess Katharine opposite Law in Henry V, opening at the Noel Coward Theatre next week.

But at the weekend she put Shakespeare on hold as she returned to her musical roots with a version of Liza Minnelli hit Cabaret to pay tribute to her friend and mentor Joe Thompson, resident pianist of the Ivy Club. It earned her a standing ovation.”

Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/...

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