Author: Edie Okamoto

  • Jim Dennis, historic Artist Talk and Grand Opening of “50 Years in a Flash” Aug. 5th at Joyce Gordon Gallery

    Opening Ceremony Joyce Gordon

    Join us this Friday, August 5th from 6-9pm for the Opening reception and Artist Talk of “50 Years In A Flash” by renowned Bay Area photographer, Jim Dennis.

    50 Years In A Flash | Photography by Jim Dennis
     August 5 - August 27, 2016
     Opening Reception and Artist Talk: Friday, August 5th 6-9pm
    Artist Talk by Jim Dennis starts at 7pm

    This retrospective of photography includes portraits, nudes, music, flowers and landscapes by internationally renowned Bay Area photographer Jim Dennis.??”50 Years In a Flash” captures an array of moments throughout Jim Dennis’ image making career. including photographs inspired by his early travels as the first African American photographer on assignment with Eastman Kodak in New York. Other works include portraits ranging from famed musicians such as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, John Handy, Faye Carol; dignitaries include the Dali Lama, former S.F. Mayor Willie Brown to celebrated locals. His color and black and white nude portraits are perhaps his most recognized and praised work. Also featured in this exhibit is a KTOP documentary interview “A Glimpse Into Jim Dennis.” Later in the month we celebrate Jim Dennis’ day of birth with an hour exhibition tour in the gallery followed by an extended version of his jazz and music collection at Geoffrey’s InnerCircle including live music and food. The exhibit culminates in a paid photo session where the public is invited to have their portraits taken in the gallery by Jim Dennis.

    Pete Escovedo Family
    Pete Escovedo Family by Jim Dennis Photography

    Jim Dennis’ Birthday Celebration August 18th 6 – 11pm | Gallery Tour 6-7pm | Celebration at Geoffrey’s InnerCircle (410 14th St, Oakland) 7-11pm featuring an extended music collection

    Closing Reception: August 27th 1-4pm
    Portrait Session w/ makeup artist | Contact gallery for details
    Joyce Gordon Gallery presents “50 Years In A Flash,”

    Joyce Gordon Gallery is a commercial fine art gallery located in the downtown district of Oakland California. It exhibits art that reflects the social and cultural diversity of the Bay Area and international artists. The aim of the gallery is to respect the creative pursuits of the individual and seeks to make such work accessible to a broad audience.

    JoyceGordenGallery

    Joyce Gordon Gallery 
    406 14th St
    Oakland, California 94612
    510-465-8928
    www.joycegordongallery.com

    Joyce Gordon Gallery
    406 14th St. ?Oakland, California 94612
    510-465-8928
    www.joycegordongallery.com

    www.facebook.com/TheJoyceGordonGallery/

    Jim Dennis Photography Studio is located in Emeryville. To schedule a private tour please contact Jim Dennis at jmdennis@sbcglobal.net. Learn more at his website:  www.jimdennisphotography.com

    For a past historic Artist Talk with Jim Dennis the SF Moma wrote: “San Francisco native Jim Dennis’ skills were honed partly in the Jazz club called “The Both And” in North Beach shooting photos of legends such as Miles Davis and Wes Montgomery. He eventually became a staff photographer for Eastman Kodak. After a long career using the most cutting edge camera equipment he’s amassed an accomplished body of work that includes portraits of well-known public figures, landscapes and nudes.” full article

  • Michelle Obama is beautiful inside out and outside in. True Beauty!

    Vogue shows Michele Obama's outer beauty - her speech shows her inner beauty as a mother and leader.
    Vogue shows Michelle Obama’s outer beauty – her speech shows her inner beauty as a mother and leader.

    Her speech reflects the beauty of her mind and soul.  What a classy and beautiful woman.

    When someone sais what they do and does what she says we can trust and admire that person with all our might.

    The first Lady genuinely cares about the US, the world and people. She now is working with an organization called called Let Girls Lean.

    Let Girls Learn is a U.S. government initiative launched by the President and First Lady that helps adolescent girls attain a quality education and enables them to reach their full potential. Educating girls is essential to healthy and thriving communities but, globally, 62 million girls are not in school, and barriers to adolescent girls completing school are particularly significant. In some countries, fewer than 10% of teenage girls complete secondary school. Learn more about it and how we can genuinely improve the lives for people, empower people to get jobs, improve countries infra structure and stop the hunger and power based wars and resulting refugee flows.

    https://letgirlslearn.peacecorps.gov/

  • Rolando Morales Duo will perform Thursday July 28, 2016 at San Jose Fairmont

    Rolando Morales and Danilo Paiz will perform at the Fairmont San Jose
    Rolando Morales and Danilo Paíz will perform at the Fairmont San Jose

    Hola, Mi Gente!

    I’ve had some splendid experiences this past week at some lovely private events.  One was up high in the clouds with a panoramic view of the Bay Area.  They flew in a magical chef from northern Italy and her husband as sommelier providing the amazing Italian wines.  I blended some Italian music into my international flavors and it went over so well, I’ll be returning soon.

    My Trio’s debut last Saturday at Pairings Cellars was also a hit, so another version of my Trio, will be returning there in about 3 weeks.  I’ll keep you posted.

    This week I wrap up our July Calendar with my buddy Danilo Paíz.  This wonderful Latin percussionist/vocalist from Nicaragua has played with me from the very beginning when my first band Passion and Grace was newly formed.  We’ll be doing a duet performance for you South Bay fans at the San Jose Fairmont in the Lobby Lounge this Thursday, July 28 from 9-Midnight.

    I also have Don Pico’s on Friday and Maria, Maria in Walnut Creek on Saturday, with all the details below.  I’ll  see you at the show!

    Ciao,

    Rolando

    LAST PUBLIC PERFORMANCES FOR JULY 2016

    Thursday July 28, The San Jose Fairmont, Lobby Lounge, 170 South Market St., San Jose CA, 9pm-MidnightRolando returns for you South Bay fans to this elegant venue.  Celebrate the night with fine wines, unique martinis, appetizers and sushi along with the Rolando Morales Duet, this time featuring the Latin percussionist/vocalist from Dizzy Gillespie and Rubén Blades, Danilo Paíz; and Rolando Morales leading the way on guitar and vocals and his magic pedal board.  Free!  See www.fairmont.com/sanjose/ for info, or call (408) 998-1900.

    Friday July 29, Don Pico’s Mexican Bistro, 461 El Camino Real, San Bruno, 6-9 pm.   Rolando  returns on solo guitar and voice, now in the intimate Restaurant Room.  Call (650) 589-1163 and see www.donpicosbistro.com.

    Sunday July 31, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx. 2-5pm.  Enjoy a Mexican brunch at Carlos Santana’s lively cantina and Rolando performing on the newly renovated front patio on solo guitar and voice by the creek. (Don’t worry, if it’s too hot he’ll be indoors.)   He may be joined by Bob Harrison on flute.   www.mariamariarestaurants.com,   (925) 946-1010.

  • 50 years of classic photography by celebrity photographer, Jim Dennis

    Internationally renown photography Jim Dennis is celebrating his 50th Anniversary. Historic.
    Internationally renown photography Jim Dennis is celebrating his 50th Anniversary. Historic.

    Jim Dennis delights international photography lovers for over 50 years.

    Jim Dennis is a renowned Bay Area Photographer whose work has spanned over thirty years, with exhibits ?at a variety of artful venues across the nation including: ?Kodak Gallery , New York, New York?Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Illinois?The Oakland Museum, Oakland, California?Dennis, a native of San Francisco recognized at an early age that he was visually oriented and ?was excited to discover that he could capture on film, elements that provoked thought and stirred emotion.

    As a young staff photographer with Eastman Kodak, Dennis photographed people and places across the world:?the Taj Mahal in India; life in Morocco; cultural portraits in Turkey. He also photographed the Indy 500 and Grand Prix Races, a cattle round-up in Wyoming and the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. His personal extensive travels have provided him with opportunities to capture exciting photographic images in such places as Haiti, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, France, Italy, Britain, the Bahamas,Brazil, Costa Rica and the Ivory Coast.

    Jim Dennis’ technical skills in photography were honed at Eastman Kodak where he collaborated with engineers?developing state-of-the-art photographic equipment and products. He regularly attends professional development seminars and workshops to stay abreast of new developments in the photography world and has taught technical skills in photography to students at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco. Additionally, he studied with the famed San Francisco photographer Ruth Bernhard in developing his creative skills.

    In addition to his personal clients, present corporate clients include: Pacific Bell, Pacific Gas and Electric, American Airlines, San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, East Bay AIDS Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco Unified School District, City of Oakland, Oakland Unified School District, Walter Kaitz Foundation, World Savings Bank, KTVU-Channel 2, Highland Hospital and the Port of Oakland.

    Eric Murphy
    Gallery Curator,
    Joyce Gordon Gallery
    406 Fourteenth St.
    Oakland, CA. 94612

    eric@joycegordongallery.com or jmdennis@sbcglobal.net
    Gallery Phone: 510.465.8928

    www.joycegordongallery.com  and  www.jimdennisphotography.com

    1971 article about Jim Dennis photoshoot in cowboy country.
    1971 article about Jim Dennis photoshoot in cowboy country.