# Tuba Thefts **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 8, 2018, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239 "2018-03-08T15:22:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/41 "2018-03-10T20:04:11Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Yo, thank you! > > Yes, played for several years with the Rude Mechanical Orchestra of Brooklyn (see _A Midsummer Night’s Dream_), in the 2004 NYC street protests against the Shrub and the Republican Convention, in several Mermaid Parades in Coney Island, battles of the bands against the Hungry March Band, general leftist madness gatherings, etc. > > Depending on what sort of sound was needed, I showed up with either a flute, a trumpet or cornet, a tenor sax, or a tuba. Mainly trumpet, because LOUD was what was needed — as many trumpets and trombones as we could get. And we already had a fine brass bassist/sousaphone man called “Joe Tuba.” Was that Joe Exley? Otherwise known as “TubaJoe.” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/T3z7Buz-IE0/hqdefault.jpg "Gato Loco in Paris - "Tuba Gunslinger"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3z7Buz-IE0) He’s also the guy who gave me the “Tuba-American” tag I use on my Facebook page. Joe is a MONSTER player and I have greatly admired him from the first moment I met him, which was when he showed up with four other tuba players at NYC TubaChristmas costumed like the members of KISS. Also for those who are drum corps fans, he was a star with the Blue Devils and later on worked with the Bushwackers. Speaking of drum corps instruments, if any of you are in the market, Bushwackers is selling their old horns. Go get one and Google DCA – there’s a ton of those senior corps around the country. I might yet go do that someday if I totally lose my mind and decide to be the oldest contrabass on the field ever. [https://www.ebay.com/sch/Musical-Instruments-Gear/619/m.html?\_nkw=&\_armrs=1&\_ipg=&\_from=&\_ssn=everyday\_games&\_sac=1](https://www.ebay.com/sch/Musical-Instruments-Gear/619/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&_ssn=everyday_games&_sac=1) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/42 "2018-03-10T20:11:07Z")
This is a fascinating thread. Firstly stealing a musical instrument, especially from someone who makes their living playing one, is the lowest of the low. I have numerous professional and semi-professional musician friends and it’s heartbreaking when they lose one of their instruments. I’ve seen Press Hall a few times over the last 25 years both in New Orleans and on tour. It’s interesting what the son has done with the group. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/43 "2018-03-12T17:04:45Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > This is also him here, right? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd\_gvR06j6s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd_gvR06j6s) It is, indeed. I had a post some years ago about Silverman with the link to this video and somebody commented, “Wait. There was a tuba on the stage?” I went with a less… distracting video this time around. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/44 "2018-03-13T04:03:32Z")
Happy news! Ben Jaffe got his sousaphone back! > **[Preservation Hall's stolen tuba is back -- and damaged a little](https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/music/preservation-halls-stolen-tuba-is-back----and-damaged-a-little/article_833f07c6-45a0-59ba-bec6-fd64f5eaecbf.html)** > > Ben Jaffe, the artistic director of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, reported on his Instagram account that his much beloved tuba, which was stolen in late February has been recovered. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/45 "2018-03-14T05:32:42Z")
YAY!!! ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/46 "2018-03-14T09:46:27Z")
That is wonderful news. So great when you have your favorite back with you. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/47 "2018-03-14T11:33:32Z")
The music I was thinking of was [Tea for Two for Tubas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcIorbqyyq4) I hope the thefts get traced to a mastermind and three accomplices, to be known as the Tuba Four. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/48 "2018-03-14T11:52:47Z")
Well, I have it from a reliable source that these thefts actually are for the tubas themselves. A highly involved and totally clandestine plan is in the works to assault Washington D.C. with, “A Million Tuba March”! Upon arrival with much fanfare from the media involving millions of viewers, they plan on marching around the White House seven times before bringing it down with one awesome, coordinated, prolonged blast! After being rushed to the protected basement area of the White House and having his hair carefully combed back into place, Trump will have to face these people or risk being blown into the Potomac with another mighty blast. I have no cite for this. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/49 "2018-03-14T18:40:05Z")
It could happen. Compared to other varied demographics, it is true that 100% of people who can play the tuba hate Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/50 "2018-03-15T20:49:45Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Yep. They probably returned it after they discovered they could not sell it anywhere. > > Dixieland guy Red Lejr had much the same problem a few years ago. He was on tour in Amsterdam and someone swiped his sousaphone off the stage. The police found it later … in the canal. > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?time\_continue=16&v=KC9-qhCgn0o](https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&v=KC9-qhCgn0o) Do you know if Red is still with us? Damn, that man can jam. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/51 "2018-03-16T01:15:26Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Do you know if Red is still with us? Damn, that man can jam. My source in St. Louis says Red is not playing so much these days, but he is pushing 80. From what I’ve seen of his past bookings in recent years, he’s on the “occasional Sunday afternoon” schedule people get on when they’re getting up there. And the Rivermen are playing festivals where they used to work the riverboats and etc. a lot more. I think his last gig was in November. HOWEVER, he’s still showing up at the butcher shop every day, as he has since always, though his son technically runs the business. Lehr’s Meat Market New Athens, Illinois Here’s a lovely duet – Red Lehr and Gene Pokorny, the tuba player for the Chicago Symphony. Old and dear friends, Gene’s a St. Louis boy. This is Red’s signature tune. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/LvC-lzZUIJQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Memories of You") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvC-lzZUIJQ) Love always, your humble TubaDiva ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/52 "2018-03-16T02:18:13Z")
**TubaDiva @41** : Nah, wrong Joe. One should never mix up a “TubaJoe” and a “Joe Tuba.” Your Joe is a much finer musician. As a Honk Band bassist, Joe Tuba’s main quality was to PLAY LOUD. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/53 "2018-03-16T14:54:05Z")
It just made the NY Times: [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/us/tuba-thefts.html?module=WatchingPortal®ion=c-column-middle-span-region&pgType=Homepage&action=click&mediaId=thumb\_square&state=standard&contentPlacement=1&version=internal&contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F03%2F16%2Fus%2Ftuba-thefts.html&eventName=Watching-article-click](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/us/tuba-thefts.html?module=WatchingPortal®ion=c-column-middle-span-region&pgType=Homepage&action=click&mediaId=thumb_square&state=standard&contentPlacement=1&version=internal&contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F03%2F16%2Fus%2Ftuba-thefts.html&eventName=Watching-article-click) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239/54 "2018-03-25T09:33:36Z")
For someone to steal a tuba, he’s got a lot of brass. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuba-thefts/810239.md?page=2)