The Jazz.com Blog
January 01, 2009 · 6 comments
Jazz Fans, Show Us Your Tattoos
Here at jazz.com, we pride ourselves on tackling the delicate questions you always wanted to ask about jazz, but never get answered in Downbeat. Let the rest of the music media cover what's happening at Jazz at Lincoln Center or the Village Vanguard, while we get down to the real pressing issues.
For example, where are all the jazz tattoos?
C'mon folks, where are you hiding them? Roll up your sleeves, pull up your shirt, let us take a look. As I survey the tattoos that come into my line of sight on a daily basis, I see plenty of flowers and skulls and Harley-Davidson logos, but where are the jazz musicians? Certainly there are some devoted jazz fans who are willing to undergo dermatological mutilation in celebration of America's classical music.
I know there must be someone out there with a Dave Brubeck tattoo, but where is it? Certainly one of our many site visitors has emblazoned "Bird Lives" on a body part that is suitable for presentation in a family-oriented blog? Surely someone has room on their body for Dizzy's capacious cheeks, or room on their cheeks for Dizzy's capacious body. Please send us your photos.
In the meantime, we are whetting your appetite, with a few choice samples. Here is tasteful image of a young Ornette Coleman.
And here is an inspired image of John Coltrane.
Miles is clearly a favorite of body artists, as demonstrated here.
Of course, Mr. Davis, the master of under-statement, would appreciate this equally low-key tattoo of his silhouette.
But we need more. If you have a jazz tattoo, please let us know. And if you don't, now might be the time to make the plunge. What better way to start the new year?
This blog article posted by Ted Gioia.
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Tattoo, Brute? O that this tattoo sullied flesh would melt, and end this derma epic.
i see you found my ornette tattoo. where should i send further photos. my freind robert hernandez did that one of trane.
the one of oc was done by the fantastic david digby.
Wow! that is some awesome tattoos you've got there! Ive got my schilke b5 trumpet tattooed upon my chest, and on tuesday im getting JAZZ! written on my right arm! :)
I have an Eric Dolphy tatoo on my right arm. Classic shot of him leaning back from the alto, enraptured by music. Done by a body artist in Kittery Maine (said it was one he really enjoyed doing!) Perhaps I could send a photo? Let me know Peace Erik in NH
I have just finished my jazz themed whole sleeve. Trane, Bill Evans, Billie Holiday and Miles share the arm with silhouettes of a pianist and a saxophonist. Embedded in the smoke from Bill's cigarette is also the first four bars of donna lee in rhytmic notations (without any note lines (if that is a term)). If you want to post it on the site, just let me know. Cheers Love (It is in fact a real name in Sweden, it's the Swedish equivalent of the French Luis).