One hundred tuba players spotted at the quay by the World Financial Center.

“We all just kind of showed up here,” one member of the 100Tubatet said.


The tuba players wandered around the outdoor space in tight groups, buzzing their lips amidst hundreds of confused whispers and clicking camera shutters.

Eclectic composer Anthony Braxton, (below, with scepter), conducted the brass assembly in what sounded like an hour-long in-stereo fog horn.

Braxton’s “Composition No. 19 for 100 tubas” was interpreted by some as an homage to the tuba player; consistantly relegated to the back of the orchestra, or burdening under a cage of brass at many a football game.

As the hour vibrated by, groups of tuba players erupted in what seemed uncontrolled sound emission that can only be compared to sneezing or flatulence. Tubas squeaked, hummed, and popped as players rapidly fingered, rubbed the body of or smacked the mouthpieces of their tubas.

Bwog wonders if tuba players make tender lovers.