SCENTS OF SOUND

The Improvisations of Eugene Mosley

Celebrity and official artist for Altovise Davis and the Sammy Davis Jr. Estate, Frank Sinatra Enterprises and CEO of Legend Cognac makes his Miami debut.

ELEVATE: With the niche of your artistry being Pointillism, a technique of painting in which small distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image, Pointillism is also referred to as a style of 20th-century music composition. There is a relative connection between notes of color and multi-phonic notes of giving the sound a texture in consummate Jazz performances. Is this why you gravitate towards depicting legendary Jazz musicians in your collective?

EM: Yes, I do use Jazz as my main focus when I am doing my Pointillism art because both are universal art forms. When doing Pointillism to create my Jazz characters, I listen to Jazz music as I create my masterpieces. For instance, when I created my art piece on Frank Sinatra, I listened to his music. It gave me a personal vibe to create a more realistic portrait of my subject matter.

ELEVATE: What is the parallel between the subject matter of your art and creating a cognac brand? Is it a feeling that moves you or do you feel the music carried in the process of palate precision?

EM: Just like my art, the cognac brand that I have created is very exquisite and appealing to those who desire the finer things in life. Smooth Jazz music plays an instrumental role in developing a great cognac. This is why my slogan states “Enjoy the smooth taste of Excellence.”

ELEVATE: Who are your artistic influences? Are there any artists, both Jazz musicians, and painters that you are inspired by in the Miami marketplace?

EM: My mother was a great artist and as a young child, I used to watch her create masterful art pieces. It’s innate for me to express myself creatively as an artist. One of Miami’s own that I enjoy listening to is Gloria Estefan. Her music has different rhythms that create a soulful, sultry sound. A commonality we share is that we were both inducted into the Las Vegas Hall of Fame/Walk of Stars. As far as an artist in the Miami marketplace that inspires me, I can only think of the one and only, R.J. Hohimer. His Jazz paintings not only reflect the music of an era, but his brush strokes show the colors and rhythms of Jazz. I like the way he adds bright colors to enhance his paintings that radiate a glow into the introspective scenario of each particular canvas.

ELEVATE: How did you get your start in the art world?

EM: The first piece that gave me world recognition as an artist was my completion of Jazz Legend, Duke Ellington. Thanks to his granddaughter and on behalf of Mrs. Mercedes Ellington, she accepted the painting with gratitude and considers it as one of her greatest possessions. I was one of the first artists to be interviewed on a Jazz Television show called “BET on Jazz.” Other celebratory who have my piece of Duke Ellington include Wynton Marsalis, Steve Harvey, Isaac Hayes, and Tom Joyner to name a few.

ELEVATE: At your core, you are a philanthropist and mentor. What drives your desire to give back to chosen causes?

EM: I give to several causes because I feel that it is important to help others achieve the greater things in life. One of my main causes that I contribute to is the Make a Wish Foundation because it gives hope to kids and makes dreams come true for those who are battling illnesses.

ELEVATE: Who is Eugene Mosley? Entrepreneur or artist?

EM: I am both an entrepreneur and artist. I enjoy the challenges that they both create towards making something special and they both can be hard at times, especially when one is a perfectionist.

ELEVATE: Both with your liquor and product brands, you call them Legend and Legacy. Is there a deeper meaning behind the name you have chosen, or is it about the Jazz legends who made a footprint in Las Vegas and giving back to the community that you are heavily connected to, as well as leaving a legacy of your own for others to inspire to?

EM: It is true that I am inspiring to leave a Legend or Legacy behind for my family and a pattern for others to follow. That is the primary reason behind both of my brand names. Of course, the Jazz Legends who made a footprint in Las Vegas were very inspirational to me because Las Vegas is my home and will always have a special place in my heart.

ELEVATE: As the only artist that was inducted into the Las Vegas Hall of Fame/Walk of Stars and with a Las Vegas Star placed in front of the Paris Hotel, do you feel a sense of acknowledgment?

EM: A recollection of one of my fondest memories as a child growing up in Las Vegas was walking down the strip and seeing an artist painting and signing autographs. I knew then that this was something that I wanted to do when I grew up. I have been fortunate enough to have my art sold at the Regis Galerie in the Venetian Casino and made history on December 16, 2015, with my star placed on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. Another accolade for me is having my star positioned five stars away from one of the most prestigious entertainers, Sammy Davis Jr.

ELEVATE: In your own terms, can you express the technique behind creating an influential cognac?

EM: The vineyard and aging process is a key component in creating an influential cognac. In the town of Cognac, France there are five different regions in that town that have different climates that produce grapes to make cognac. For a novelist cognac connoisseur, you must know that a cognac is a white wine first and then it distills twice to make a fine cognac. My cognac is aged from the age of 20 to 50. I really don’t get into young aged cognac due to my level of taste and quality. Cognac is considered a sipping spirit; however, it is the perfect cocktail-making drink due to its unique flavor and aromas.

ELEVATE: What is your appeal about entering the Miami marketplace?

EM: Everyone knows that Miami is the place to be, not only does it have a multi-cultural environment, but it’s an appetizing melting pot for elite products. I don’t want to be just another brand owner in Miami. My main focus is to educate others on the history of art and Jazz by fusing my passion and celebrating both mediums. I want to be a permanent fixture of Miami’s syntactic soul.