Music |
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Music and Life Music
played a direct part of Bearden's life. He was not only a listener,
a fan, and an artist who explored musical themes—he was, for a while,
a songwriter. Hoping to make more money writing music than painting,
he penned a few hits, including "Seabreeze," which was recorded by
Billy Eckstine and Dizzy Gillespie. Listen to: "Seabreeze" A trip through the jazz bins in a record store will reveal yet another connection between Bearden and the music of jazz—he designed a number of covers for albums and CDs, including this one for Wynton Marsalis. Listen to: "J Mood" on the Wynton Marsalis CD, J Mood Finally, and perhaps most fundamentally, Bearden was connected to music through his outlook on life. The blues lets you feel good by feeling bad. As Bearden said, "Even though you go through these terrible experiences, you come out feeling good. That's what the blues say and that's what I believe—life will prevail." "Seabreeze" sheet music cover with Bearden's name among
writer credits. Estate of Romare Bearden, courtesy of the Romare Bearden
Foundation, New York
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Romare Bearden, J Mood, c. 1985, Courtesy of Wynton Marsalis
Listen to: Albert King, "That's What the Blues Is All About" 
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