Hand-lettered lyrics to a popular funeral song blow out of a church band’s instruments indeed, the tuba’s bell forms the “O” for “O didn’t he ramble.” An ambulance’s side reads “U.M.M.G. Marsalis’ choices seem just right: “Chrrrick chrrrick chrrrick chrrrick-buttering my toast.” An upright bass emits “Doom, Doom, Doom, Blap! Doom, Doom, Slap!” Rogers’ hip, playfully cartoonish spreads pop with clever visual allusions to jazz tunes and players. Those onomatopoeic words, elegantly red-dressed in Caslon 540 Italic, will challenge readers and delight listeners. The narrator, an African-American boy in white high-tops, exudes curiosity and cool ( and plays trumpet). The big bass drum goes “Bum! Brrrum! BRRRUMBLE!!!!” Rogers’ digitally colored ink drawings depict a New Orleans setting. Most verses link a couple of everyday sounds with one made by a musical instrument: “Big trucks on the highway RRRRUMBLE. Marsalis contributes 10 three-line verses that crackle with invented sound words. Marsalis and Rogers, who collaborated on the scintillating Jazz ABZ (2005), reunite for this sonic celebration for the younger crowd.
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