(Press Play Before Reading)
"An ode to this music I love..."
I like my jazz…served with a cold side of blues brewed to
perfection, drizzled with soul and pain; I like my jazz maimed. Cut in 32s of staccato
and lip tongue action.
I like my jazz…allegro.
But you know what, as a matter of fact I like my jazz…slow. The
kind of slow that requires you to hold someone close and dance toe in toe. I
like my jazz to be cool and calm. To set the ambiance and tone for a
suspenseful eve of crescendos and a
climax to rival no other.
I like my jazz smooth. Entwined in the emotions one feels
after a long day of pulling rhythmic bass stings or playing whole notes. Smooth
like a brew of honey jack on the top of a piano. And it’s hard to explain how
after hours of playing and drinking I can feel every single key. I feel the
vibrance of every single note. Pure legato.
I like my jazz featured on the sexo… I mean the saxophone.
The machine of the articulate tongue that works wonders in the right hands; alto
only though because if I whip out a baritone it might be too deep.
I like my jazz to swing. I like my jazz fast, making me have
to move my a** and double step to the beat.
I like my jazz to touch my soul and love me unconditionally.
I like my jazz to mambo with a taste of Latina suction I mean the seduction of
conversing with the gods.
I like my jazz Dixie and Ditsy. Or to give me a chant and
cannon over and over again.
I like my jazz on trumpet. Because when lips touch brass it’s
to only plays strong. And if you can’t handle the range there is a mute to
soften the roar. The Weeees and Woaawoaaws bellowing from the cup.
I like my jazz to be manufactured my Mingus, Davis,
Ellington, Parker, Marsalis, Coltrane, Gillespie and every other bad mama-jamma
to ever touch an instrument and mastered the art of this music I love.
This is where you da capo. (repeat)
The coda of this dedication to jazz is me allowing Mingus to
finish writing this poem and keep on Moanin’.
You let the track play to the end and DJ, don’t dare touch
the volume, stop or pause. You let this one RIIIiiiide
out…..
-Moises Seraphin
