Versatile Downtown LA Musician, Artwork Jamal, Passes at 47

Photograph by Gary Leonard courtesy of Downtown News
While known best for his playing of electric blues in the style of Muddy Waters, according to the Downtown News, local musician Artwork Jamal had a background that ranged from classical - as a teenager he was a member of the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic - to rock, funk and rap.  He was also well known for his appearance at events all over Downtown (particularly on Art Walk) and his recent monthly sessions at Seven Grand where a memorial event for him will be held on August 22nd.

Artwork Jamal, Neighborhood Bluesman, Dies

Downtown Musician Was Regular at Seven Grand, Other Venues

by Ryan Vaillancourt 
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES – Downtown resident and musician Artwork Jamal, who played his trademark blues at venues including Seven Grand for the past seven years, has died. He was 47.

Jamal died on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from complications related to diabetes and congestive heart disease, said his widow, Lida Parent. 

 And...

As a young man, he was a recording engineer on albums by rap artists such as Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur and Coolio and R&B singer Montell Jordan. He ran his own studio in Glendale, Graphic Sound Arts, from 1995 until 2000. He folded the shop to take care of his ailing mother and grandmother, both of whom later passed away.

The rest of the article can be read here and a  2010 interview in the Downtown News can be found here.