ROD'S TABLE: 2014

ROD’S TABLE #3
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A to Z

AN ABSTRACT ALPHABET

One of my current book projects is a new way for children to recognize the alphabet in its abstract forms. The ABCs of abstract expression.

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ANGELINI OSTERIA *****

7313 Beverly Blvd

Los Angeles 90036

(323) 297-0070

Benvenuti

Chef/Owner Gino Angelini’s menu has always
been numero uno for Italian cuisine in Los Angeles.
I first met him when he worked for Mauro Vincente

at Rex Il Restoranti in the classic Oviat art deco building downtown. He is a classic Italian master chef, with Angelini voted Best Italian Restaurant in Los Angeles by Zagat in 2012. Magnifico.

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TOOTS TIELMANS JAZZ HARMONICA

Pure genius.

I met Toots at the old Catalina Bar & Grill on Cahuenga
Boulevard and invited him to my restaurant, Pane e
Vino, and we’ve stayed in touch ever since. His talent
on harmonica—and whistling—is genius. He had an
international hit in the 60s with “Bluesette,” and has
played with Sidney Bechet, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis,
Max Roach, Benny Goodman, George Shearing,
Peggy Lee, Quincy Jones, Bill Evans, Astrud Gilberto…
the list goes on forever, an overwhelming
testament to his artistry.

In 2001, Toots was ennobled a Baron by
King Albert of Belgium.

In 2012, the “Jazz at Lincoln Center” concerts
in New York celebrated his 90th birthday with
Herbie Hancock, Eliane Elias, Kenny Werner,
Marc Johnson, Oscar Castro-Neves,
and Dori Caymmi. His brilliance is undiminished.

Photos & Painting by
Rod Dyer.

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Coast Magazine was a hip & cool magazine in the 70's. Don Owens the art director asked me to do my take on LA which became Rod Dyer's
Los Angeles visions.
Here they are.

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1. Los Angeles City Hall
2. Cinerama Theatre,
Hollywood
3. Bullocks Wilshire
4. Lipchitz sculpture,
LA Music Center
5. Century Park Plaza,
Century City
6. Barker Brothers
Building, Hollywood
7. Catering Truck,
Sunset Boulevard
8. Hollywood Boulevard
9. Chinese Theatre,
Hollywood
10. Medical center
parking structure
11. McDonald's sign,
Sunset Boulevard
12. "76 Ball," gas station
Wilshire Boulevard
13. Billboard,
Sunset Boulevard
14. Capitol Records
Tower, Hollywood

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I mentioned a new book project at the top of this blog.
Others I’ve designed for Abbeville Press and edited by
Walton Rawls include:

DISNEY DONS DOGTAGS: Best Of Disney Military
Insignia From World War II.

With a forward by David R. Smith, Disney Archivist.

FIT TO BE TIED: Vintage Ties of The 40s and 50s
by Rod Dyer and Ron Spark.
COAST TO COAST by Rod Dyer and Brad Benedict,
Text by David Lees from the collection of
Dave Willardson.
CLOSE COVER BEFORE STRIKING:

The Golden Age Of Matchbook Art by Tommy Steele,
Jim Heiman, and Rod Dyer.

Each book looked easy to do in the beginning, but
grew in complexity as book projects often do. Still, I
enjoyed the process and thank everyone involved.

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LA BOITE AT SHUTTERS HOTEL ON THE BEACH

I am designing an original cocktail book written by
bartender of mixology Josh Curtis. It is entitled
'Somewhere it's 5 o'Clock'.

Josh creates a menu of seven unique cocktails every
Wednesday evening for Shutters Hotel on the Beach.
  He sets up a moveable bar on the main table there in
the Living Room with ingredients to make a variety of
  classic cocktails as well as a variety of eclectic
  originals based on what is in season at the
Santa Monica Farmer's Market.

Fresh Fruit Cup by Josh Curtis : Akvinta vodka, Apricot
liqueur, Green Chartreuse, fresh orange, & fresh
lemon.

Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram @mixingcocktails
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FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN THE UNIVERSE
Check out :
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“Don’t Watch This Film: Extraterrestrial Origin”
by David Icke and Steven Greer
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. . .And watch the skies. As legendary scientist/ cetologist
John Lilly liked to tell his friends,
“Extraterrestrials have come to this planet but
they went to the most intelligent species—
the whales and dolphins of Planet Ocean.”
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Go to:
openminds.tv
search for :
S4 Facility
Escape from Area 51
J-Rod Full Doc

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BRRRRM

During the Rock & Roll heyday of the 60s, 70s,
and 80s, after working at Capitol Records working
as an director/photographer, I started my own
business, The Rod Dyer Group,
designing and photographing artists for every record label in L.A.
I was also a restaurant buff. I had my favorites,
and some places were difficult to get into.
Since I knew the owners of all the hot spots in
town, I created a promo postcard to help clients
and friends get reservations when they wanted them.

The BRRRRM stands for
"Best Rock & Roll Restaurant Reservations Made.”
I still get calls to this day.

Photo Credit:
My friend Mike Salisbury took the
photos for an article in New West,
featuring my 1972 Dino Ferrari.

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JAZZ GUYS

I created a series of limited edition gyclee prints of iconic jazz greats on handmade paper, deckled edge. Available for sale. Each is matted and framed 34"X45"

Clockwise forom top left: Charlie Parker, Willie "the Lion" Smith, John Coltrane, and Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong

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In 1957, jazz master Hugh Masekela left South Africa during the apartheid era. I did the same thing, heading to New York where I got my first job in America as an art director on Madison Avenue. I met Masekela years later in L.A. and photographed him for an album and publicity shots. He was married to Miriam Makeba, an amazing jazz singer.

He topped the Billboard charts at number 1 with the crossover instrumental hit 'Grazing in the Grass' composed by Philemon Hou.

I then worked on a poster for the hit musical, “Sarafina” which he conceived with Mbongeni Ngema. He also wrote a book, “The Musical Journey Of Hugh Masekela" published in 2004. Well worth the time.