#75. RAPS AND TAPS

#75. RAPS AND TAPS 

Just when I think I’ve seen it all in Washington Square. 

In a shady section of the Park’s west end, a jazz trio plays. Guitar, stand-up bass, drums. The benches fill with music lovers. Then I notice a young black man, in black pants and green hoodie, quietly take a seat near the drummer. Below his feet he places a panel of wood 2 feet by 4 feet. He sits quietly for a bit, then unobtrusively takes off his sneakers and replaces them with – can you guess? Tap shoes. 

 He stands on the board, listening to the music, starts to sway slowly, feet twitching a bit, maybe waiting for an OK from the drummer. Finally, he starts, and then there’s no stopping him. Tap dancing to the jazz and building to a virtuoso performance. The drummer and the tapper trade rhythms in a call and response pattern. 

The music ends, the crowd applauds, the drummer shouts: 

                     “Let’s hear it folks! It’s a first! 

                      Raps and Taps in the Park. 

                     And don’t forget to say thanks in our tip bucket too.”