Lovie Austin Painting

Lovie Austin | 2023 20 X 22 inches, Acrylic on Canvas KIMI KAA Original model: Lovie Austin location: New York, New York representation: Quiñones Studio Curator Note: Cora "Lovie" Austin (September 19, 1887 – July 10, 1972) was a world class pianist, composer, and bandleader. She was one of the most important figures in early jazz and blues music. Austin was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and grew up in Chicago. She started playing the piano at an early age and became a professional musician in her teens. In 1918, she became the musical director of the Original Creole Orchestra, which was one of the first all-black jazz bands to record. In addition to her work with the Original Creole Orchestra, Austin also played with many other important jazz and blues musicians, including Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Alberta Hunter. She also led her own bands, which included some of the best musicians of the day. Austin was a gifted composer, and many of her songs became jazz standards. Her best-known composition is probably "Down Hearted Blues," which was a hit for Bessie Smith in 1923. Austin also wrote music for several films, including the 1929 film "Hallelujah!" Despite her many accomplishments, Austin faced significant obstacles as a female musician in the male-dominated world of jazz. She was often denied the recognition and respect she deserved, and her contributions to the development of jazz and blues music were often overlooked. Nevertheless, she continued to play and compose music throughout her long career, and she remains an important figure in the history of American music. "Lovie Austin" is an acrylic painting done on canvas. Painted in New York for KIMI KAA creative concept "American Music" and was painted in 2019-2023.