John Osler: Detroit Jazz Portraits

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Artist and photographer John Osler (1935 b. – 2023 d.)  is best known for his ability to capture an emotional moment and his work demonstrates his deep respect for his subjects. His painted portraits combine a fresh and free approach to color and style, which over his long career, garnered admiration from fellow artists for their strength and directness. As the house artist for the Dirty Dog Jazz Café in Grosse Pointe Farms and behind the scenes at the Detroit Jazz Festival, Osler photographed both emerging musicians and the icons of Detroit Jazz and possessed a natural ability for capturing the artists feeling the emotional expression of their music. His 2013 book Detroit Jazz documents the legacy of Detroit Jazz musicians. In 2014, 2015, and 2016, Osler’s artwork was featured on promotional posters for the Detroit Jazz Festival.