He cut his teeth on jazz and films. Now writer and video journalist is combining the two with his first feature-length film, premiering at the Arizona International Film Festival. By Gillian Drummond. Cover art by Bret Primack.

It's all the fault of Louis Armstrong. That's how Bret Primack's jazz itch started, and he hasn't stopped scratching it since.

Bret was about ten years old when he first spotted the jazz great on TV at his home in West Hartford, Connecticut. The film The Five Pennies, with Louis and Danny Kaye, became a favorite. Then Bret began playing the trumpet. And soon his house was echoing to the sound of jazz music. As a teenager, he would take the train down to New York City to hit the jazz clubs, indulging a love that would not only stick with him, but dictate his career, and his life.

Bret's father told him not to. He did his best to discourage his son from the world of music. As a semi-professional piano player and a back-up musician for the likes of Bob Hope, he had seen too much of the down side of the music biz. But for Bret, the itch wouldn't go away.

Jazz even trumped his other passion - film. Bret studied at New York University's Film School (Martin Scorsese was an instructor) but became a jazz music journalist.

The man is a trailblazer in more ways than one. He was an Internet follower and Apple computer user before most people had heard of either. He helped launch the website Jazz Central Station, and started the first jazz blog, Bird Lives, where he wrote outspokenly under the pseudonym The Pariah. (Once his identity was revealed, he stopped). Then along came You Tube and a chance for him to return to film-making without major expense nor major budgets.

He bought a cheap video camera, taught himself computer-aided editing, and made mini documentaries about jazz musicians. His You Tube channel Jazz Video Guy has attracted more than 30,000 subscribers on You Tube, and racked up almost 27 million views.

But as much as the Internet and new technology have been good to him, Bret is frustrated by it. He can track the time people spend watching his short video films, and many of them aren't reaching the end of them, he says. They're multitasking and getting lured away by other video teasers on the screen. "There are too many distractions. I have an audience of very temporary viewers, and I don't like that. I spend a lot of time producing my work."

Hence the decision to go back to his film school roots. The result is Taking Charge: the Pauly Cohen story, about the life and continued good times of jazz trumpeter Pauly Cohen.

Bret is a man who straddles a golden era and the 21st Century. He is nostalgic for the jazz greats and their era of road trips, struggles and, in turn, rich stories. Yet his Tucson home and his life are all about the new: Netflix and You Tube, Facebook and Twitter, and anything made by Apple beginning with an 'i'. Similarly, while he gets excited about new music and film (a current listening favorite is Scottish singer Emili Sande), he favors old greats like Fellini, Kubrick and Sonny Rollins, one of his personal friends.

Bret is torn about Tucson too, a place he would visit from Manhattan in the winter during the 1990's, eventually settling for good. "I love the vibration, I love the desert and the pace of life. But culturally it's a huge drop-off." If he had enough money he says he'd move back to Manhattan in a New York minute.

As for the future, Bret would love to make a comedy film. He is a co-founder of Axial Theatre, and has play-writing under his belt already. Right now he's fascinated by a 1982 Godrey Reggio film called Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance, one with no dialogue and music by Philip Glass. "I'm interested in finding new ways to tell stories," he says.

As for the push-pull of the Internet, he believes there's time still to lure viewers back into more long-form films: "Once TV and the Internet converge, people are going to watch films on big TVs. Then they'll have a better attention span. I give it three to five years."

* Read more more on the film festival, including Bret's own pick of the fest and our big ticket giveaway, here. 

 

 You know it from the auto industry and industrial manufacturing. But powder coat is finding new markets in interior and furniture design. By Madeleine Boos.

When the economy tanked, an interesting thing happened at North American Powder Coating and Sand Blasting in Tucson. Owner Mark Bargar saw his business take off.

Instead of replacing old worn items, the public's thoughts turned to restoration and revival. “People started bringing me their gates, outdoor furniture, trellises, fencing etc, to be cleaned and powder-coated for a new life,” says Mark, who has applied powder coat on everything from motorcycle and airplane parts to the steel sculptures of Tucson artist Steven Derks.

 Where to powder coat

Powder coating, once solely the domain of the automotive industry and industrial manufacturing, is not only going mainstream, it's being viewed as a durable, affordable and planet-friendly finish. Powder-coated steel has been around since the 1960s (think Mad Men with its iconic Knoll metal office furniture). But it’s only within the last few years that it has made its way into the vocabulary of the mainstream.

The shiny colored metal surfaces once relegated to refrigerator doors and bike frames are showing up as sleek counter-tops, suspended wall shelving units and modern furniture. Whether you’re shopping for an affordable mid-century style pedestal table at CB2, or outdoor furniture for thousands of dollars from DWR, most likely that pristine finish is powder coated - not just painted - and made to last.

Any metal that can withstand 400 degrees Fahrenheit can be powder coated. Plus, due to technological advances in application and curing methods, powder coating can be used on substrates such as MDF (medium density fiberboard). Whereas laminate has been the go-to surface material for MDF, powder coating creates a seamless, durable surface that protects the wood from chips, spills and stains.

Powder Coat: What is it?

The powder itself is a mixture of pigment and resin, electrostatically applied (sprayed) as a free-flowing dry powder on to a metal or aluminum surface, and then cured in an oven to form a durable smooth skin. The coating protects the piece from the exterior elements, scratching, rusting and corrosion.

The item is disassembled for complete coverage, and the parts are hung from a steel rack to be sprayed. Once sprayed the rack is wheeled into the oven for curing. Once the item reaches 400 degrees Fahrenheit, it cures (bakes) for 15-25 minutes. The good news is you can't over-bake it, but under-curing produces an inferior finish.

Set up is key. A well prepped surface, free of grime and grease and a clean shop make for the best outcome.

It's loved for a few reasons:

* "Price for powder coating is based on size, weight and thickness of item, surface condition (does it need sandblasting first?), and whether or not it's a custom color. A patio chair may run you $68-$125. Turn-around time is typically 7 - 10 business days," says Mark Bargar of North American Powder Coating and Sand Blasting.

* Counter-top fabrication and installation runs $25 - $30 per square foot installed - on par with basic laminate surfaces, and less than half what a homeowner would pay for solid surface or natural stone.

* It's durable, resistant to chipping, scratching, fading and wearing.

* There are hundreds (thousands from some sources) of available colors, and a wide range of specialty effects, such as high/low gloss, texture, and clear.

* It emits zero or near-zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds), making it eco-friendly and non-toxic.

* It produces thicker and stronger coatings than conventional painted finishes.

* Overspray can be recycled, which means zero waste.

* It's consistent and uniform in appearance.

* Powder coating gives new life to worn household metal products, such as gates, patio furniture and thrift store finds.

*and well......it's sleek.

Architect Rick McLain, partner in the newly renamed firm of repp + mclain design and construction, has used powder coated steel in projects for clients, as well as in his own home.

At Falora, Ari Shapiro's restaurant concept in midtown Tucson, the design team used powder coated white steel as a modern interpretation of traditional Italian marble slabs. Better yet, the thin floating material gave the interior a minimalist vibe. For more on Falora, see 3Story’s feature here.

At home, Rick and his wife opted for powder-coated steel counter-tops in the guest bath. This industrial product requires no maintenance, no special cleaning instructions.

Ibarra Rosano Design Architects chose powder coated steel as a way to customize an IKEA bathroom. Pairing IKEA cabinets and plumbing fixtures with the glossy surface gave a tight budget project a high-end look. That and having a skilled designer bring it together in the details.

Industrial and interior designer Cipriana Salazar has powder-coated household items as small as decorative hardware and signs, and worked her way up to small and large furniture. Limited only by the size of her curing oven. The bigger the oven, the larger the pieces.

She started with her own $99 powder coating gun in a corner of her garage and a second-hand oven.

“One important aspect is that it is not out of the realm of the hobbyist who is looking to do small scale parts. Powder coat guns are cheap and a Craigslist oven can get you started,” says Cipriana.

Since then she's upgraded the size of her set-up. Though most of her time is dedicated to her own creative work, she does offer services to folks in need of powder coated bicycle frames, cabinet hardware, specialty items and the like.

Bike frames are $100-125. Chairs $65-90. Chair bases $30-55. Cabinet hardware, such as pulls and knobs $50-75. The prices on the lower end are for raw metal or already prepped items.

Powder coating played a large role in Cipriana's re-design and transformation of a salvaged steel medical cabinet and ubiquitous IKEA dining set. The result? An artful and modern dining ensemble.

But to achieve a successful powder coat finish, you may not want to try this at home after all. We say, consult an expert.

*Cipriana Salazar can be reached at [email protected].

North American Powder Coating and Sandblasting 1131 W. Grant Road, suite 107 Tucson, AZ 85705 520-622-5640

* For more information on powder coating and powder-coated steel, see the Powder Coating Institute and Sundial Powder Coating.

 

A new Tucson business is giving a whole new meaning to bottle recycling - by turning empty booze bottles into drinking glasses. By Samantha Cummings.

Anita Goodrich’s competitive nature was her ticket into the art scene. When a friend asked her if she could cut a beer bottle 3 years ago, she couldn’t refuse the challenge. After perfecting the craft, Anita and her life partner, Stephanie Pederson, are now learning how to balance two other careers, raise a family and keep up with the demand of their booming business, Bottle Rocket glassware.

The sound of the knife etching a line into the empty Grey Goose vodka bottle is reminiscent of nails on a chalkboard. This is the first step Anita Goodrich takes when creating one of her signature rock glasses. In a recycling spin that brings things full circle, Bottle Rocket turns bottles that once contained beer, vodka and whiskey into drinks containers once more.

The couple knew their recycled bottle glasses would be a hit after selling the first batch in their friend’s store, Pop-Cycle, which houses the work of local artists using re-purposed materials. The boutique’s co-owner, DeeDee Koenen, is actually the same friend that challenged Goodrich in the first place.

“Instantaneously, they were sold like that,” Anita says, snapping her fingers.

Stephanie, a special education teacher at Secrist Middle School, contributes to the more artistic aspect of the business.

“I don’t want to know about the cutting too much. I don’t want to be outside in the middle of the summer. I’m like, I’ll make some lampshades,” she laughs.

So, while Stephanie leaves Anita to do the dirty work, she is busy brainstorming other ways to re-purpose the eye-catching bottles - like using them as lamps.

With a square-shaped Jack Daniel’s bottle as the base, Stephanie explains how she unleashes her creativity with the shades as she and Anita sip on a couple of imported beers at Time Market.

“I’ve been doing lampshades out of maps and out of books. I’ve done some out of T-shirt material, which is kind of fun. It hasn’t sold yet,” she laughs.

For the holidays, the couple created what they call chimneys – little candle tea lights made from the tops of Grey Goose bottles. When the candle is place underneath, the smoke exits the neck of the bottle, creating a chimney-like effect.

“Actually, it’s the first thing I’ve done that Gavin really likes. Score, I made my son happy!” says Anita.

Gavin, who is six and a half years old (he is really enthusiastic on clarifying the 'half' part), attends Borton Elementary School. When he isn’t swimming or playing with his neighbors, he is quite the Bottle Rocket promoter. He even has his own slogan: “There are bottles! And glasses! And we make bells!”

Anita and Stephanie met 12 years ago at a coffee shop on the University of Arizona campus, where they both worked. Today, they're combining each of their talents to take Bottle Rocket to the next level.

They have wine bottles to choose from for days, but the Grey Goose bottles seem to be a rare commodity.

“We can’t get enough people to drink Grey Goose,” Stephanie says jokingly.

Back at the couples quaint home, located between “A” Mountain and Tumamoc Hill, the perfect size for the family of three, a pile of bottles are patiently waiting to be given new life as they sit underneath a tree in the backyard.

Anita grabs the empty Grey Goose bottle from the Mecca of recycled bottles she has collected from local bars and restaurants, such as The Surly Wench, Mercado San Agustin, and Kingfisher.

To the right of the tree stands a massive blue tarp that shades Anita from the beaming rays of Arizona’s relentless sun as she stands at her homemade wooden work bench, which is covered with bottles next in line, glasses that didn’t make the cut, and others awaiting their finishing touches.

It’s safe to say that Bottle Rocket has taken over the entire backyard living space. Besides a sandbox that houses all of Gavin’s toy trucks and shovels, empty bottles have claimed the remaining territory.

Its definitely organized chaos at it’s finest.

After scoring a perfect line around the circumference of the bottle with a diamond bit glass cutter, she places the bottle on a rotating sphere that spins as she simultaneously heats the line with the blue flame of a blow torch, creating a fracture. “The hope is that it doesn’t stray from your score line, so that it’s very clean,” says Anita.

With both hands, she grabs either end of the bottle and gently twists, anxious to see if the bottle decided to cooperate. The bottle makes a popping sound and splits into two. Relieved to see a smooth edge, Anita lifts the bandana that hangs around her neck to cover her mouth and nose, and begins to grind the glass’ sharp edges.

Once all the edges are polished and smoothed, the process is complete.

It isn’t surprising that Anita is in charge of Bottle Rocket’s dirty work. When she isn’t getting dirty cutting glass, she’s doing anything from tiling a bathroom to building a deck as part of her home improvement business.

After the glass leaves Anita’s hands, it’s passed onto Stephanie, who etches a variety of designs onto the faces of the bare bottles. The glasses that undergo this process are usually the beer bottles that are stripped of their original paper labels or shot glasses made from champagne bottles.

Stephanie creates her stencils from vinyl with designs ranging from animals – such as an elephant, sparrow, stag, and an owl – to skulls and University of Arizona symbols. Next, she applies an etching cream on top of the stencil and lets it dry. Once the vinyl is removed, the etched design is complete.

Drinking glasses are their specialty, but the couple is constantly brainstorming new and ingenious ways to give these bottles a second chance at life. Metal balls are attached to the insides of vintage Sprite and Coke tops to create a bell. The round corks of Patron bottles are removed and replaced with wicks to create an oil lamp. And the spouts of wine bottles are cut and re-purposed as door pulls for kitchen cabinets.

There are more ideas in the works, and the couple plans to get on to Etsy.com. But they're still in such early stages, they don't even have a website. “We talk about getting a website. With our family and my day job of teaching, sometimes it’s hard to do the fair aspect because it’s so much investment and so much traveling. But, I think that we are trying to manage growth and creative exploration,” says Stephanie.

Currently, you can find Bottle Rocket favorites in Pop-Cycle on 4th Avenue; Adelante, located in Cave Creek; and several shops in California.

Anita and Stephanie down the last sips of their imported beer. Instead of throwing away the bottles, they are placed among the belongings the couple came with.  “These are coming with us,” says Anita.

Video by Samantha Cummings

* Prices: rocks glass, $12; wine bottle glass, $22; beer glass, $6; Coke bottle, $6; shot glass, $8; bell, $10; Patron oil lamp, $16.95; 'chimney', $20.

* Find Bottle Rocket at Pop-Cycle, 422 N. 4th Avenue, Tucson. Tel: 520-622-3297.

* For special orders or requests, contact Anita at (520) 548-8757 or [email protected].