depictions by the rule of thirds; descriptions mostly freestyle words
Me and fifty-nine others hanging around, strung out as a slow carousel, going with the flow. Some brassy artist formed the band, marched us in here to play the kind of crushed instrumentals you hear with your eyes. After all, jazz is all flat notes in perpetual motion. I’m the only one who can face the music though.
You can spot me surely. OK with a kind of ostentatious matador hat pulled down, I’m sort of obscured. It’s all about mood, a cloud of intrigue – one time it would be a pall of smoke too but those noir days when we all lit up are long gone. Whatever you do, don’t call me ‘tuba’ – that’s for fatties and I’m straight out of a Jack Vettriano bar. A jazz tubist see? Full to the brim. Now check those slit eyes – here’s looking at you. Pugnacious? Sure there’ve been brawls – a man’s not a man without something to show for it – a broken nose, a crooked smile. But I can still blow. Winded but not wounded, winding down and around with the crowd. Sometimes I even get to take a solo break.
gallery of light
north borne by easterly seas
vivid vibes of brass
Art installation at Turner Contemporary of compressed trumpets, cornets, tubas and other instruments In the artist Cornelia Parker’s words: ‘the band may be winded, but they’re not down and out: they’re still marching.’ – Perpetual Canon
A touch of pareidolia in poesy – seeking out the one en-masse for qbit’s guest hosting of dVerse haibun Monday
Oh I love this… the voice of Rick from Casablanca really added something extra among all the jazzy brass (but there is a piano there somewhere too)
LikeLiked by 1 person
no ivories Bjorn – all brass!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the voice here. So hardboiled you could eat it for breakfast! Great fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Snap crackle and pop – thank you for that Sarah
LikeLike
I would have love to see and listen to this band, Laura. You look super withL ostentatious matador hat pulled down.
Love the vivid vibes of brass!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes you had to imagine the sounds so every gallery visitor heard their own band – when I saw this face I knew it had to be jazz – thanks for listening Grace
LikeLike
I so enjoyed this, Laura! I could imagine an anti-Tubby-the-Tuba talking out of the side of his mouth! I love the ‘crushed instrumentals you hear with your eyes’ and ‘jazz is all flat notes in perpetual motion’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha! Love the tubby the tuba side mouthing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve often wondered what kind of kid chooses the tuba as their first instrument. I love jazz, but the tuba doesn’t show up often; love to hear a hot tuba solo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hot tuba too often sounds like hot tub event – it’s a hard instrument to handle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome! Say it loud, say it proud with a tuba! “strung out as a slow carousel” is fabulous. I love jazz tuba, amazing stuff. The Haiku of brassy wind is so good too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your prompt hit just the right note after seeing this exhibit – thank you
LikeLike
Oh so sassy – jazzy attitude. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tried to pick up on the vibe – thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice phrase: “Winded but not wounded”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Word playing here with the music!
LikeLike
Nawlins’!!! There are brass jazz bands there that you describe with that excellent voice. Of course, you had me at ‘jazz.’ A complete joy to read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jilly – actually it was your piece that set the mood for the jazz tubist to play through his face
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love a good jazz tuba! this is so full of brass, not one of those white fiberglass monsters but full blown polished brass. What fun this was to read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your fibreglass monster phrase – sounds like a cue for a poem
LikeLike
I was in the local Jr. And sr.high matching band. Although lighter than the brass ones, the white fiberglass ones took over due to cost, lightness in carrying, and the amount of breath it took to get the sound out. This was in the mid-70’s. Now it is rare to see the costly all brass tubas
LikeLiked by 1 person
pragmatics over aesthetics 😐
LikeLike
yeppers.
LikeLike
the haiku was brilliant- images of the brass band still lingering as it marched by
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you Gina – the brief ending is always the hardest part for me
LikeLike
Oh! I loved every bit of this Laura. You captured the character so well.
LikeLike
thank you for you charming comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your last line of the haiku had me tripping up just reading in my head; I guess I need to practice my jazz triple tonguing. And that tuba solo break? Gotta hear that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can tell you can hear it – thank you!
LikeLike
or give a listen to: https://youtu.be/piOAFI8eCdM
but seriously: https://youtu.be/MBUv1fpnBrI
LikeLike
I dated a euphonium player in college. Takes me back, lol.
LikeLike
“Winded but not wounded, winding down and around with the crowd.” Jazz and poetry always works! Even crushed jazz. Laura, you laid it out straight ahead… not easy with twisted instruments. The story-line is spot on for this genre; wouldn’t do for rock or blues. Great write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the authentic voice in this one! Wonderful write!
LikeLike