"Painter Bruni Sablan's the sort of woman round whom writers build books. Half Sicilian and half Lebanese, born in Brazil, she carries an aura that recalls those Miles Davis sessions with Gil Evans - bright, brooding, whimsical, grave. All at once. Illusory opposites transcended."

"This color-packed body of work reflects solid homework - and yet there's more. Pure Vision. Her most effective efforts show not only faces, but souls - Billie Holiday's soul, for one example, worn atop her face like an unsayably sentient glaze. BRUNI shows that Powell and Mingus were more than wondering storytellers - were in fact woken beings who shared their mysteries as long as physical bodies held up...Coltrane's portrait breaks past all the normal constraints of Time and Place and History and Reasonable Explanation...She went far to get this work, and its powerful simplicity reverberates like a Temple gong."

- John Detro, Poet / Monterey Peninsula Jazz Columnist
 

The Jazz Masters Series by BRUNI

The largest Post-Renaissance Tributory body of work executed by a Portrait Painter. There are over 1,100 portraits of Jazz Greats. The series  began 20 years ago, and continues to grow.

MUSEUMS:

The Smithsonian Institution: One of BRUNI’s portraits of Duke Ellington was aquired in 1996 by The National Museum of American History, Washington D.C.

Universal Studios: The Downbeat Jazz Hall of Fame Museum, Orlando, Florida

Kansas City Jazz Museum: 18th & Vine Authority, Kansas City, Missouri

The Putnam Museum: Bix Beiderbecke Hall, Davenport, Iowa
 

THE CRITICS CHOICE:

The Late Leonard Feather, top Jazz Critic in history, played a major part in BRUNI’s career by both advising and encouraging the Artist, and also by becoming a collector.

THE MUSICIANS CHOICE:

Many of the Musicians that BRUNI paints are collectors, including the late Dizzy Gillespie, Roberta Flack, Diane Schuur, Chan Parker(widow of Charlie Parker), Joe Williams, Shirley Horn, Carmen McRae, John Lee Hooker, T.S. Monk, and many more.

PUBLISHED WORLDWIDE:

Limited and Open Edition Lithographs published and distributed worldwide by Frontline Publishing, a division of Corto Publishing, London. Also, The Archives - Custom Giclee Prints

Numerous Best of Show and First Place Awards throughout the Bay Area during the '80's and '90's

CD’s & ALBUM COVERS:

 Top Jazz Artists, such as Duke Ellington, Joe Henderson,  Erroll Garner (Polygram) in which Leonard Feather lobbied behind-the-scenes for BRUNI; Two Emily Remler CD’s, personally commissioned by Carl Jefferson, founder and President of Concord Jazz, after Emily’s untimely death in 1990; Diane Schuur & Maynard Ferguson, Wayne de Silva, Al Green - "The Absolute Best", and numerous local Artists.

JAZZ FESTIVALS: 

Including a one-woman show of 90 paintings at The Monterey Jazz Festival in 1993, which brought tremendous acclaim; others include Shoreline, Concord, San Jose, Redwood, and more.

JAZZ CLUBS:

Has shown at every major Jazz club in Northern California; Featured Artist at Yoshi’s in Oakland for 7 years, and soon to be the featured visual Artist at Kimball's East in Emeryville, CA

BRUNI’s OWN GALLERY:

BRUNI has owned her own Gallery in Northern California  for 20 years, which is the home of The Jazz Masters Series, and also houses her studio.

EDUCATION

Extensive studies in Dramatic Art with Frank Centola, one of the five originators of the legendary "Group Theatre" of New York

Figure drawing and painting studies at Villa Montalvo and the University of Mexico

Private color studies with Grumbacher Color Award winner Michael Linstrom

20 years of owning and running her own Gallery, privately conducting intensive life drawing classes with live models. Teaching and leading workshops and lectures throughout the Bay Area

HONORS AND ACCOLADES

The Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., "Duke Ellington" portrait chosen for the National Museum of American History

The Definitive Jazz Auction, New York, NY - 13 Paintings Exhibited and auctioned in the largest Jazz Auction in History

The Downbeat Jazz Hall of Fame Museum in Orlando, FL

18th and Vine Authority—The Kansas City Jazz Museum

The Putnam Museum: Bix Beiderbecke Hall, Davenport, Iowa

Recipient of numerous 1st Place and Best of Show Awards throughout the Bay Area during the ‘80s

Limited and Open Edition Lithographs published and distributed by Paloma Editions in San Diego, CA., a division of Corto Publishing, London

ONE-WOMAN SHOWS

Stanford Jazz Fundraiser, Atherton, CA  - 15 paintings exhibited, October 2004

San Jose Ballet Fundraiser, Palo Alto, CA  - 30 paintings exhibited, August 2004

Mountain Winery & Al Green - 40 paintings exhibited, August 2004

Camera 7 Cinemas, Campbell, CA - On-going slide exhibit of 30 paintings on 3 screens, as of August 2002

Stoddards Brewery, Campbell, CA - On-going exhibit of 32 paintings and Lithographs, as of March 2002

Peter Max Gallery, Santana Row, San Jose, CA - 30 paintings Exhibited, August 2003

Borders Books, Santana Row, San Jose, CA - On-going exhibit of Lithographs and Prints, as of July 2003

San Francisco Jazz Festival, San Francisco, CA - 11 Lithographs displayed, September 2001

San Jose Country Club, San Jose, CA - "A Tribute to Frank Sinatra", 10 paintings exhibited, May 2001

Kimballs East Jazz Club, Oakland, CA - On-going exhibit of 26 paintings and Lithographs, as of March 2001

San Jose Repertory Theatre, San Jose, Ca - "A Tribute to Clifford Brown", 20 paintings displayed, September 2000

Barnes & Noble Books, Campbell, CA – 11 lithographs displayed, November 1999 - March 2000

Fairmont Hotel, San Jose, CA – 35 paintings displayed during the San Jose Jazz Festival, August 1999

Fairfax Jazz Festival, Fairfax, CA - "A Tribute to Chet Baker", 11 paintings exhibited, June 1999

Borders Books, Palo Alto, CA –20 paintings exhibited, March – May 1999

San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose, CA - "Tribute to Duke Ellington" with The San Jose Symphony, 15 paintings exhibited

Borders Books, Los Gatos, CA – 15 paintings exhibited, March - May 1998

Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, Los Gatos, CA - "A Tribute to Sinatra," December 1998

Mable's Lantern House, Los Gatos, CA - 16 Abstract Still-life paintings exhibited - October 1999

Quantum Corporation, Milpitas, CA – 15 paintings exhibited, January - June 1997

Lion & Compass Restaurant, Sunnyvale, CA – 30 paintings exhibited, June - December 1996

Mr. E’s Jazz Club (Pete Escovedo), Berkeley, CA – On-going exhibit

Camera One & Camera Three Cinemas, San Jose, CA – On-going slideshow

Los Gatos Theatre, Los Gatos, – Ongoing slideshow

Jazz at Pearl’s, San Francisco, CA – On-going exhibit

Wild About Music, Austin, Texas – On-going exhibit

3COM Corporation, Santa Clara, CA – 8 paintings exhibited, March 4 - June 4 1996

Yoshi’s Nitespot, Oakland, CA – 15 paintings on display from November 1991 – March 1997

Vallejo Shoreline Jazz Festival, Vallejo, CA – 25 paintings exhibited, September 1995

Bingham Gallery, San Jose, CA – 27 paintings exhibited, August - September 1995

The Jazz Shore, Carmel, CA – 12 paintings exhibited, January 1995

The Phoenix Jazz Club, San Jose, CA – 5 paintings exhibited, September - December 1994

College of San Mateo, San Mateo, CA – "Tribute to Pat Henry" 15 paintings exhibited, June 1994

Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, Los Gatos, CA – 25 paintings exhibited, August 1994

Sunbird Gallery, Los Altos, CA - 25 paintings exhibited, July - October 1994

Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Company, Willow Glen, CA – 10 paintings exhibited, March - May 1994

Dodge - LaRue Gallery, Carmel, CA - 20 paintings exhibited, December 1993 - June 1994

Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey, CA – 90 paintings exhibited, September 1993

Redwood Jazz Festival, Ukiah, CA – 20 paintings exhibited, July 1993

Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA – 4 paintings exhibited, April - December 1993

Club Jazz, San Jose, CA – 15 paintings exhibited, March 1992 - February 1993

Fairmont Hotel, San Jose, CA – "A Tribute to the Jazz Divas" August 1992

The Tollhouse Hotel, Los Gatos, CA - 10 paintings exhibited, February 1992 - July 1992

Hidden Valley Ranch, Carmel Valley, CA – "Stan Getz Tribute" July 1991

Paul Masson Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA - "Tribute to Miles Davis, 10 paintings exhibited, June 1989

Dunfey Hotel, San Mateo, CA – 60 paintings exhibited, "A Tribute to Al Jazzbeaux Collins" KCSM-FM/TV

Paul Masson Museum, Cannery Row, CA – Entire collection shown, April 1989

The Garden Cafe Gallery, Burlingame, CA – 50 paintings exhibited, Benefit for Stanford Children’s Hospital, 1988

Paul Masson Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA – Benefit for San Jose Jazz Society, 1988

Beau’s Annex Jazz Club, San Jose, CA – 1987

The Garden City, San Jose, CA – 1986

Kimball’s Jazz Club, San Francisco, CA -- 1985

TELEVISION AND RADIO INTERVIEWS

7/02 "Barry Gaston Show"  Radio interview on KMUW, Witchitah, KS

1/01 "KTEH Public TV" Annual Art Auction

1/00 "KTEH Public TV" Annual Art auction
7/98 "Nightline" Bay TV, live interview and painting display
12/96 "CNN Southbay"   Smithsonian acquisition announcement
11/96 "ABC News"   Interview and showing of paintings
6/96   " KSJS Live"   Live Radio interview with Kevin Ariente, KSJS-FM 90.5, San Jose, CA
7/95   "Art Scene"    Live radio interview with Paul Rickey, KKUP-FM 91.5, Cupertino, CA
10/93 "People"    Live radio interview with Claire Mack, KCSM-FM (91) San Mateo, CA
3/92 "Tee Carson Show" Live radio interview on KCSM-FM (91) San Mateo, CA
10/91 "Arts Break"   Interview and show of paintings, Bravo cable television network, NY and National
10/91 "Ear Thyme"    Live radio interview with Doug Edwards, KPFA,FM, Berkeley, CA
8/3/91--8/10/91 "Ear Thyme"   Part One and Part Two of taped radio interview with Doug Edwards
5/91 "Jazz Line Gallery" Television show of the Jazz Mastersss Series
3/90 and 8/90 "People"  Live radio interview with Claire Mack, KCSM-FM 91, San Mateo, CA
1/90 "Eye on the Arts"  Interview with Mike Gibson and Suzanne Taylor, TV Channel 6, KCAT, Los Gatos, CA
5/89 "Doodlin" Live radio interview with Pete Fallico, KUSP-FM (89), Cupertino, CA
 

FEATURE ARTICLES/ILLUSTRATIONS

4/04 Santa Clara Valley Life Magazine, "Conjuring Up Musicians, Past & Present", Feature Article

2/04 JAZZIZ Magazine, "Meeting Miles", Editorial Illustration, International

12/03 On The Tracks, Bob Dylan Magazine, Feature Illustration

9/03 Campbell Reporter, "City Beat" Feature Article

8/03 Planet Jazz Magazine, Cover, Feature Article, International

4/03 JAZZIZ Magazine, Cover, "Dave Holland/Bass Issue", International

1/03 Planet Jazz Magazine, Cover, Ray Brown Tribute, International

7/02 JAZZIZ Magazine, "Endless Miles", 12 page feature cover story, International

7/02 Jazz Steps Magazine, Cover, "Tribute to Ray Brown

10/01 Planet Jazz Magazine, Cover, Billie Holiday, International

7/01 JAZZIZ Magazine, "Tribute to Billy Higgins"

6/01 Music in the Other Park, San Jose Poster and all advertisements

6/00 Music in the Other Park, San Jose Poster and all advertisements

1/00 Downbeat "Tribute to Milt Jackson"

9/99 Campbell Times Cover Article

6/99 Music in the Other Park, San Jose Poster and all advertisements

5/99 Campbell Express      Feature Article

3/99 Campbell Reporter Cover Feature Article

12/98 Los Gatos Weekly Times "Sinatra Lives On"

8/98 Music in the Plaza, Los Gatos Poster and all advertisements

6/98 Music in the Other Park, San Jose Poster and all advertisements

1/98 Daniel Smith Magazine "In My Studio" Feature Article, Nationwide

8/97 Music in the Plaza, Los Gatos Poster and all advertisements

6/97 "Live" Magazine "Miles & Bruni"

9/96 Downbeat "Ella-A Special Tribute"

1/96 Jazziz Magazine "Iconoclast: The Art of Bruni" Feature, International

1/96 San Jose Mercury News, West Extra    "Jazz Portraits Bring Brush With Greatness" Feature

1/96 Los Gatos Weekly Times "Smithsonian Bound"

4/95 Jazziz Magazine "A Tribute to Carmen"

9/93 Carmel Pine Cone "Jazz Times" by John Detro

6/93 Los Gatos Weekly Times Cover Article "Musical Strokes"

10/92 Monterey Peninsula Review "Night Birds"

8/92 California Jazz Now Cover and Feature Article by Josh Moscov

8/92 Metro News Color cover     "Betty Carter"

4/92 ALL Magazine, National Japanese Publication    Color cover and Feature Article

11/91 California Jazz Now "A Farewell to Miles"

10/91 California Jazz Now Cover and Feature Article by John Detro

8/91 Legenda Magazine, Sao Paulo, Brazil Feature Article

7/91 The Monterey Peninsula Review Cover, Portrait of Stan Getz

6/91 Los Gatos Weekly Times "Bruni Sablan Celebrates 11 Years in Old Town"

4/91 Los Gatos Weekly Times "Local Artist’s Work Chosen for Jazz Record Covers"

11/90 Down Beat Magazine "Potpourri"

11/90 Jazz Times "West Coast News"

9/90 Art Around the Bay "Old Town Gallery"

7/90 Peninsula Magazine "Inside and Out"

7/90 Review Magazine   "Honoring Emily"

7/90 The Monterey Peninsula Review "Jazz Tides" by John Detro

6/90 Paul Masson Summer Magazine "Rainbow Miles"

5/90 Los Gatos Weekly  "Bullet Pierces Painting"

9/89 Pacific Bay Monthly "The Philosophy of Bop"

8/89 Saratoga Magazine "BRUNI "

6/89 San Jose Mercury News-Arts & Books "The Color of Cool"

4/89 Metro News    Color Cover "Dizzy Painter"

4/89 Carmel Pine Cone   "Illusory Opposites Transcended"

12/88 Los Gatos Weekly    "Her Paintings Revel in the Wild, Strong"

12/88 Los Gatos Times-Observer   "Painter Captures Energy Behind the Jazz"

11/88 Bay Options  "Artist Commits Music to Canvas"

7/88 San Jose Mercury News-Arts & Books "What They’re Reading"

3/88 Los Gatos Weekly  "Eight to Watch in ‘88"

CD/ALBUM COVERS

EMI Jazz Records - Al Green "The Absolute Best", Greatest Hits, Double CD, Worldwide Release

TNC Jazz Rexcords - Wayne de Silva, "First Morning"

Concord Records - Maynard Ferguson & Diane Schuur "Swingin' for Schuur", Released Worldwide

Arkadia Records – NY Various Artists "Thank You Joe Henderson", CD Released Worldwide
 

Arkadia Records – NY Various Artists "Thank You Duke Ellington", CD Released Worldwide

Polygram Records – NY Erroll Garner "Too Marvelous for Words", CD and Cassette, Released in the U.S., Japan, Australia and Europe, June 1990

Concord Records Emily Remler "Retrospective – Volume I: Standards", CD and Cassette, Released worldwide

Concord Records Emily Remler "Retrospective – Volume II: Compositions", CD and Cassette, Released worlwide

Shanna Carlson "Swing High, Swing Low", Bay Area Release, 1989

AMONG BRUNI’S COLLECTORS

John Lee Hooker, Musician

Carlos Santana, Musician

John Lee Hooker, Musician

Joe Williams, Musician

T.S. Monk, Musician

Dizzy Gillespie, Englewood, New Jersey, Jazz Musician

Diane Schuur, Singer/Pianist

Chan Parker, Paris, France, Writer, widow of Charlie Parker

Leonard Feather, Jazz critic

Smokey Robinson, Musician

Roberta Flack, New York City, Singer

Dorothy Donegan, Jazz Musician

Shirley Horn, Musician

Matt Levine, Director of Marketing, San Jose Sharks NHL Hockey Team

Keena Turner, former San Francisco 49er

Billye Erickson, Steinway Society, Board of Directors

Kim Parker, Vocalist

Carol Baker, widow of Chet Baker

Sylvia Browne, World Renowned Psychic & Author

Kimball's East, Nightclub

Garden City, Nightclub and Casino

Virginia Capers, Los Angeles, Broadway Actress, Tony Award winner

Leigh Weimers, San Jose Mercury News Columnist

Willie T. Ribbs, Professional Race Car Driver

Lorry Lokey, Founder/CEO of Business Wire

Bob Reiger, Founder/CEO of Netcom/Earthlink Inc

Larry Gerston, NBC Political Analyst