Dad was
practicing his music.
I’d
be listening for tone and phrasing and then there would be a blaring burst of
sound that literally knocked me out of bed. I’d find myself standing there without knowing how or why.
My
father started playing the trombone at the age of 55. He had already taught
himself to play the flute and gotten to performance level. When he was 53 he
became a member of a jazz band that did regular live performances. But to start
a new instrument, and at the age of 55... He said he wanted to play trombone at his band’s live concerts.
Really?!...great!!!
At
live performances my father was the guy who was enjoying himself more than
anybody. When he played, he beamed. They
started calling him Smiley Takamatsu and the name still hasn’t quit.
It’s
just exactly the smiling face that is in this Oyako photograph, right down to
the double chin.
I have this little
dream now,
“Dad,
sometime I want to produce one of your live shows”
I guess it’s not going to happen right away, but let’s do it before “Dad” moves on to “Gramps”: promise me!
