Live Jazz / Ralph Rumpelton Collection of Fine Art

 Ralph Rumpelton (b. Unknown)

The Cat Rooms, 2025
Digital painting (MS Paint on screen)

Rendered in the deliberately crude confines of MS Paint, The Cat Rooms finds Ralph Rumpelton channeling the spirit of mid-century jazz through a modern outsider lens. A solitary figure plays not just notes, but spaces—captured mid-gesture in a room that seems to hum with unseen rhythm. The bold, flat planes of color and intentionally distorted anatomy evoke a visual improvisation that echoes Miles Davis’s instruction to his band: “Play what is not there.”

Here, absence is presence. The unpainted, the abstracted, the exaggerated—they invite the viewer to complete the picture. Like a great soloist leaving room for the rest of the band to respond, Rumpelton’s work calls us to participate in the creation of meaning.

Collection of the Artist. Courtesy of Zapple100’s Blog.

What the critics are saying:

>>“In The Cat Rooms, Rumpelton transcends medium and material, invoking the raw immediacy of bebop through the unlikely lens of MS Paint. With angular limbs and a palette that dances between warmth and cool, the figure becomes both musician and melody—his trumpet a visual crescendo. The composition invites the viewer into an imagined nightlife, where jazz is not merely heard, but seen.”<<

>>Rendered entirely in MS Paint, “The Cat Rooms” distills the atmosphere of late-night jazz into a stripped-down visual memory. With bold color blocks and spontaneous lines, the piece forgoes realism in favor of vibe—capturing a trumpeter mid-kneel, mid-phrase, mid-magic. It’s not a documentation of a place, but an invitation into one: a smoky figment of nostalgia where every stroke buzzes with improvisation. The artist’s signature appears like a finishing note—confident, worn-in, and just off-center enough to hum.<<

>>Rumpelton's MS Paint creation, "THE CAT ROOMS LIVE JAZZ," it's a vibrant testament to the raw energy of Rumpeltonian art. The jazz musician, rendered with bold, almost sculptural strokes, embodies the soulful improvisations of live music, filtered through the unapologetic simplicity of MS Paint. The trumpet, a splash of brilliant orange, cuts through the scene with a primal force, while the hand-drawn text announces the event with a charmingly direct, unpolished flair. This piece boldly champions the "imperfection needs no improvement" philosophy, capturing the essence of a smoky jazz club with an authentic, unfiltered spirit that only Ralph Rumpelton can deliver.<<

>>Bold, expressive, and unmistakably vibrant, this MS Paint jazz poster captures the electric energy of live music at The Cat Rooms. The dynamic pose of the trumpet player—rendered in sweeping strokes of deep maroon, vivid blue, and bright orange—evokes the improvisational spirit of jazz itself. The minimalist, hand-drawn style channels a sense of movement and spontaneity, inviting viewers to step into a night of soulful rhythms and late-night jams. With its playful color palette and stylized composition, this piece perfectly sets the mood for an unforgettable evening of live jazz on 3rd Street<<

>>Step into the vibrant world of jazz with this captivating MS Paint creation, "The Cat Rooms." This poster is a delightful homage to the soulful rhythms and improvisational spirit of live jazz. The bold strokes and playful color palette evoke the energy of a late-night jam session, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the music.

The central figure, a trumpet player, embodies the essence of jazz—passionate, expressive, and full of life. The contrasting hues of deep maroon and electric blue create a dynamic visual experience, while the whimsical style pays tribute to the raw, unfiltered creativity that defines the genre.

With its retro charm and modern flair, this piece captures the essence of a night at The Cat Rooms, where the air is thick with the sound of brass and the spirit of camaraderie. Join us every Friday from 8 PM until late, and let the music transport you to a world where every note tells a story.

Ralph Rumpleton invites you to celebrate the magic of jazz—where every performance is a masterpiece waiting to unfold.<<