All That Jazz: Art of Carl M. Crawford 2026 Wall Calendar
- Features 12 months of extraordinary artwork by nationally recognized artist Carl M. Crawford, whose revolutionary hand-cut magazine collage process creates images that appear lushly painted from a distance but reveal intricate, breathtakingly detailed compositions upon closer inspection—recycling transformed into fine art.
- Showcases work by the official 2012 New Orleans Jazz Festival Congo Square Poster artist who has earned Best in Show at multiple prestigious festivals, with original pieces displayed at the Harvey B. Gantt Museum and recognition as a trailblazing artist forging a modern synthesis of Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence's legacies.
- Generous 12" x 12" format includes four bonus months (September-December 2025) plus all of 2026, with spacious date boxes for recording concerts and events, enhanced by playful watercolor accents that complement Crawford's luminous, hand-crafted compositions celebrating jazz culture and heritage.
- Each artwork is created through meticulous hand-cutting of subtly shaded color slivers from magazines, glued to glass to compose images with depth, texture, and luminosity that rivals traditional painting while maintaining collage's unique dimensionality—thousands of pieces working in harmony like jazz musicians improvising together.
- Printed on high-quality paper showcasing the nuanced gradations, rich colors, and intricate details of Crawford's Collage Illusion™ masterpieces while maintaining durability, making this calendar perfect for music venues, studios, homes, art collections, or as meaningful gifts celebrating African American artistic excellence and jazz heritage.
Immerse yourself in the soulful world of jazz with the 2026 "All That Jazz" calendar, featuring the extraordinary collage artwork of acclaimed artist Carl M. Crawford. This vibrant 16-month calendar celebrates America's original art form through stunning visual compositions that capture the rhythm, improvisation, and emotional expressiveness of jazz music—a uniquely American genre born from the fusion of African, Caribbean, and Southern musical traditions that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Carl M. Crawford brings his groundbreaking "Collage Illusion™" technique to this exceptional collection, creating layered, multidimensional compositions that mirror jazz's complex harmonies and improvisational spirit. This self-taught artist has forged a modern synthesis of Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence's legacies, developing a painstakingly meticulous process where he hand-cuts subtly shaded color slivers from donated magazines and glues them to glass to compose each image. From a distance, Crawford's works appear lushly painted; closer inspection reveals intricate collages of breathtakingly nuanced detail—"recycling at its finest" transformed into museum-quality art.
Crawford's revolutionary technique has earned him national recognition, including serving as official Congo Square Poster artist for the 2012 New Orleans Jazz Festival, Best in Show at multiple prestigious art festivals, and numerous category awards across the nation. His original Collage Illusion™ works are displayed at the Harvey B. Gantt Museum in Charlotte, NC, and he has become the top-selling artist for a major international gift company, testament to his extraordinary ability to capture the African American experience through visual storytelling.
Throughout the calendar, Crawford's artwork depicts the full spectrum of jazz culture. From intimate jazz club scenes where musicians lean into their instruments under moody spotlights, to dynamic performance moments capturing trumpeters, trombonists, saxophonists, drummers, and vocalists lost in musical expression, each composition pulses with energy and movement. His Collage Illusion™ technique—layering thousands of hand-cut magazine pieces—creates depth, texture, and motion that transform static images into visual symphonies where viewers can almost hear the music emanating from each page.
Crawford's color palette mirrors jazz itself—deep purples and midnight blues evoke smoky club atmospheres, vibrant yellows and oranges capture spotlight moments and musical passion, while rich greens and reds add warmth and vitality. His revolutionary collaging method creates paintings-that-aren't-paintings, where subtle gradations and luminous quality rival traditional oil paintings while maintaining the textured dimensionality unique to collage. Some compositions feature silhouetted figures against bold backgrounds, while others present fully realized club scenes with audiences, creating varied visual experiences that keep each month feeling fresh.
The calendar celebrates jazz's cultural significance within the African American community—honoring the genre as both artistic innovation and cultural resistance. From street corner jam sessions and front porch performances to elegant nightclub settings and intimate listening moments, Crawford's artwork recognizes jazz as a living art form that continues evolving while maintaining deep roots in Black musical tradition, creativity, and resilience.
The generous 12" x 12" format provides ample space for recording concert dates, jam sessions, and appointments, while spacious date boxes accommodate busy schedules. Four bonus months covering September through December 2025 extend the jazz celebration across 16 meaningful months. The design features playful watercolor splashes on date grids that add artistic flair without overwhelming Crawford's powerful compositions.
Printed on premium quality paper showcasing the luminous colors, subtle gradations, and intricate details of Crawford's Collage Illusion™ technique while maintaining durability, this calendar becomes a cherished companion for jazz lovers. The sophisticated design makes it perfect for music venues, recording studios, homes, offices, or anywhere that appreciates the intersection of visual art and musical culture.
The stunning cover features a dynamic jazz club scene—a glamorous vocalist in a flowing red gown commands the stage while a full ensemble creates the sonic backdrop. Crawford's signature technique creates a composition that appears painted from afar but reveals itself as thousands of carefully selected and placed magazine pieces working in harmony—much like jazz musicians improvising together to create something greater than the sum of individual parts.
Perfect for jazz enthusiasts, musicians, music educators, art collectors, or anyone who appreciates American cultural history and artistic innovation, this calendar showcases a contemporary master whose work takes collage techniques to revelatory levels with bravado beyond even the pioneers. Don't miss the opportunity to feature this trailblazing artist in your collection.
| Edition | Open Edition |
| Height | 12 inches |
| Length | 12 inches |
| Medium | Paper |
| Signed | Unsigned |
| SKU | WC262 |
| Year Released | 2025 |
Carl M. Crawford
Carl Crawford is an artist who is known for his Collage Illusion™ works. He won his first art award in the fifth grade, but his interest in art began even earlier. In high school, he was introduced to the work of Harlem Renaissance artist Romare Bearden, who influenced his later trademarked style of collage. Crawford's art is heavily influenced by community and his grandmother, whom he depicts in his work. Crawford's process of creating his art begins with selecting colored paper scraps from magazines, carving out the shapes with an X-Acto knife, and then arranging them on a piece of glass, where the final product is viewed. His artwork features symbolism, often guided by four principles: feel, energy, movement, and color. His goal as an artist is to capture moments of passion and to use his art to enlighten others.Most in stock items ship in 0 to 5 business depending upon the shipping method selected during checkout. Large framed artwork requires an additional 1 to 5 days of processing time to allow for framing. All orders over $250 ship signature required. Pre-Orders, identified by a “Reserve Now” checkout button, can take 3 to 14 business days to process and ship. If there is an issue with your order we will notify you with 1 to 2 business days. For additional information please visit our: Shipping Policy
