About Us
SOPHISTICATED. CURATED. COOL.
Welcome to The Jazz Dive.
Our original Jazz Art designs are brought to life by our founder Allen Mezquida. That's him, on alto in the pics above. Not only is he a talented visual artist, he's also a gifted saxophone player who has shared the stage with Gerry Mulligan, Brad Mehldau, and Bill Charlap, among other jazz greats. In between gigs, Allen channels his passion for design, drawing, and animation into creating the portraits of the players who continue to inspire. Allen is also the creator of Smigly, who some say is his alter ego. You can hear Allen take a swinging solo on the Smigly animation below.
When creating artwork for The Jazz Dive, Allen draws from multiple sources, including photographs and archival videos. He crafts each portrait through numerous pencil-and-paper sketches, resulting in an original image that stands apart from any other jazz portraiture out there. It's never derivative and always unique.
When creating artwork for The Jazz Dive, Allen draws from multiple sources, including photographs and archival videos. He crafts each portrait through numerous pencil-and-paper sketches, resulting in an original image that stands apart from any other jazz portraiture out there. It's never derivative and always unique.
The other half of our founding duo is writer, photographer and audio maker Karen X Fritsche. With a background as a producer for NPR, Karen brings a wealth of narrative expertise to The Jazz Dive. In addition to her story chops and critical eye for composition, she takes care of business, approaching challenges with the ingenuity of a hacker.
OUR INSPIRATION.
The Jazz Dive is an independent art studio at the intersection of jazz and mid-century modern design. Inspired by the counterculture music from the 1950s and 60s, we create art that resonates with both eyes and ears.
The extraordinary musicians from this era, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker and Bill Evans, to name a few, pioneered an artistic revolution and believed that uniqueness is the truest measure of a creative life. We agree. This is why our always growing collection (this is by no measure a definitive list) captures the essence of these legends, immortalizing their individual voices and personal styles.
OUR MENU.
We specialize in hand-stretched canvas prints and framed fine art paper prints. We use Giclee inks known for their vibrant colors, and thick, archival matte paper to create a gallery-quality look that lasts. Our wood frames are handcrafted and feature high-quality acrylic glass, making them ready to hang as soon as they arrive. Each piece is crafted in the US with attention to detail and a personal touch. Plus, we offer custom sizes to ensure you find the perfect fit. If you can't find the size you need, just let us know and we'll create it for you.
HONEST. SOULFUL. REAL.
As machines and AI redefine what it means to be creative, The Jazz Dive celebrates humans making extraordinary things. This is why all of our pieces start with pencil and paper, heart and soul. We aim to make art that isn't just seen, it's felt.
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY.
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY.
Whether you're a hardcore bebopper or just dig classic retro design, The Jazz Dive merges music and art for an experience that grooves hard.
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