I like to call it happy jazz
When I hear the jump
I can hear the keys
almost like Thelonious Monk
rolling scat with episodes of chord
up and down
up and down
tickling the ivory
from octave to octave with appropriate speed
with blue bass singing a tune and keeping the beat
the piano gets to the end and it presses my ear
clear and cool
solid chords and fast fingers
falling leaves but way too fast
unless they swirl in a fast-moving wind
quickly pressing three or four keys
my heart begins to thump
and I can hear that drum shift to cymbal
as a steady foot bangs the big back-beat
but this is where the alto comes
loud and clear
twisting and turning from the east
pumping out a shifty tune
with leaps and bounds from a big man's wind
it wails a discordant tune pushing the flow with heavy breath
fast feet are tapping as Ludwig begins to tremble
bass, snare
bass, snare
curling sax Algeria and Tunisia
rolling over it brings a noted tune
but then it quickly pushes out
it is a baby's scream with rambling feet
tense but melodic it taps and it taps and taps
I'm sure that sometimes its all a game
but the bad man has the swagger
as he smokes a stub
keeping the fingers nimble
as his thumb and forefinger alternate in rhyme
slapping his palms as he rings out a whistle
like a galloping steed with no hair
upon it's hooves
and this is how they made a name
bringing African rhythm and European melody
in a wave that feels like the loess
as it approximates the earth
But on second thought the horns are heavy
with the sharp sound of brass
I can here it
as the cool men wear white shirts and tweed coats
such a sophisticated gentlemen will chat up the bird
but that is when the strings subside
the sticks are laid to rest
and the hot wind exits from the tunnel
Soon they might have a seat
have a drink and let their minds enter a twilight cove
the background noise will decrease in volume
as salivating lips will pucker
Each glance surrounds the room as hungry minds
search for partners
all in a nights work in a smokey room
Full breasts
and tight skirts
on a special night when all the jams were sung to a brazen beat
with the pitter and patter of the open sky on a late night
in a crowded room in a small building with a smoldering roof