Who Could Not Love Jazz? by Sarah Oakes
As I sit in this concert hall more dear to me than any home, I wonder who could not love jazz, as the saxophone simmers on my senses and the clarinet caresses my soul, as the baritone sings, his voice oozing like Belgian chocolates, deep and rich and sumptuous, and I wonder who could not love jazz, as the clarinet takes us higher and further, scooping up scales and flitting over passages, each note cradling creativity, as the saxophone follows after, testing limits and pushing boundaries, as together they let loose and create that honey texture, a mixture of wood and brass and old friendship, that melts on my ears and fills my heart with happiness, and I wonder who could not love jazz, for here anything is possible, no dream too far and no hope too high, and as my soul erupts in pleasure and the cider slides smooth on my tongue, I wonder who could not love jazz, for here music lives and breathes, free to flow, electric and alive, and I wonder who could not love jazz as it shimmers in beauty for a heartbeat, never the same twice, impermanent footprints in the sand, and I wonder who could not love jazz, where a thousand stories shine in golden semiquavers or break free in chrysalis crochets, full of feeling; and perhaps the lyrics make no sense and perhaps the soprano is a little sad and perhaps the drummer does go overboard, but it doesn't matter, for all that matters is here and now, this space between today and tomorrow, and the peace it brings.
Artist’s Statement
This piece was inspired by a jazz concert I went to last summer. It’s a concert which gets better every time I go, and always inspires me, and I plan to attend again this summer. I often find that music seeps into my stories, as it is a passion of mine and such a major part of my life. I have a little soft spot for jazz, as I find it a lot more enjoyable and accessible than some of pieces I play at wind band. With jazz, its often about the sound and the feeling, and it doesn’t matter if I get a few notes out of place. It always brings me joy, and I also know of many partially sighted players. My writing has become more sound and music based in the past few years, as I am losing my sight, and I have had two music based flashes published previously.
Sarah Oakes is a visually impaired science fiction and fantasy writer who loves music, mythology, and plays the clarinet. She has had one short story, one poem and ten flashes published, both in print and online. She is always writing something and is currently working on two novellas in flash. Her work can be found in Voidspace Zine, Pure Slush, Wishbone Words, Sixpence Society, FromOneLine, and National Flash Fiction Day. You can also find her on Twitter at: @SarahOa64492096. For more information, please visit her website: https://penguins1997.co.uk/