There’s a guy whom you sometimes see on the streets of Philadelphia (no reference to the song intended), who calls himself Tony Jam. At least, I think it’s Tony. What I remember is the “Jam” part.Mr. Jam is of the “Stomp” genre of music, he uses found objects to create vibrant, raw sounds that make you want to shake your proverbial booty. Metal tins, pots, pans, garbage cans, plastic buckets…all broken dirty items one might find in a junkyard, he has crafted into musical instruments.
He bangs the sh*t out of them too, the torn metal pieces signs of the enthusiasm he has for his particular brand of music. Next to him are usually stacks of home-made CDs, with hand-written labeling and a dark blurry iZone sticky photo slapped on top, showing Jam posed as if to beat a path to Hell with his rhythm.
If you’re on Broad or Market Street one day in Philly, you might just be lucky enough to hear him. If you do, I suggest you pause for a moment and take it in, unlike the rest of your typical city-dwellers who merely pass on by, ignoring the aroma of roses right under their noses.
Leave a Comment