We are Oaklandish: Chonnessey Bowie, AKA Chonto

We’re excited to announce our third collaboration with acclaimed Bay Area artist Chonnessey Bowie, also known as Chonto.

Chonto is an Oakland-based artist whose abstract expressionism explores contemporary relevance alongside critical historical events. His art explores hidden gems in everyday life that expose truth and significance.

Chon's artwork and imaginative approach vividly capture his interpretation of the early jazz scene in West Oakland, an era that is often visually underrepresented. In this collection, he aims to illuminate and honor Oakland's rich history, as well as the musicality that continues to resonate in our communities today through brass, drums, and dance.

What inspired the artwork in this ‘Jass’ collection?  

The spelling of the word jass instead of jazz; I started using the spelling of "jass" based on what I heard from Gil Scott-Heron in his song "Is That Jazz?" In it, he discusses history, lineage, and the unique sound that defines jazz music. As I did more research and connected the concepts he presented in the song with historical events, I discovered that one of the original terms and spelling of "jass" emerged during a time when Black people and people of color had to find their own spaces to dance and have fun. 

Many of these spaces began as cathouses, which eventually transformed into clubs, bars, and dance halls. The original intent was simply to dance, let loose, and enjoy oneself. As the music evolved and gained popularity, sometimes people would remove the "j" from "jass," leading to performances advertised as “Mae Vaughn and her Ass Musicians” to clean things up a bit. Eventually, the word was consistently spelled as "jazz." In another interlude from "Is That Jazz?", Gil Scott-Heron explores this topic more deeply and honestly.

What do you hope people take away/consider from the artwork in this collection?

In the earliest days of black creativity, there was often a lack of understanding regarding history and lineage. In the folklore of the 1890s, it is said that after the sharecropping was done and there was no work left to do, you could hear sounds coming from one of the old barns on the plantation. There, untrained musicians took on the challenge of providing people with something to lift their spirits in tough times. 

This sound eventually evolved into what we know today as jazz, which originally was often spelled as "jass," a lively, down-home dance music that made people want to get up and move. Over time, as it became commercialized, jazz evolved into something more thought-provoking and mood-shifting, focusing on emotion, feeling, expression, and creative release.

What's a jazz album that you would recommend we listen to?

I would choose John Coltrane's "Live at Birdland" as my favorite.

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Oakland is diverse and Oakland is proud. 'We Are Oaklandish' is a storytelling project created to highlight just that.

These are stories that shed light on the different experiences, memories, and opinions of the people in the city we all love. They are people who give our city its oddball spirit, its passion for justice, and its creative vigor. They lift us up with laughter, peace, nourishment, and authentic hard work. 

They make us proud to call this town our home. They are Oaklandish.

Read more: We Are Oaklandish

Shop the collection: Chonto's 7th St. Jass

Photo Credit: Max Carmenar | @ima_fuckin_genius