Mr. Circus was hard at work or play, smithereening piano keys at Pike Place Market.

I was strolling the waterfront after flying in as a tourist to the city of Seattle. On that day years ago in the bustling market, all these notes came shimmering downwind, all ignition and drive with high light tones of sweetness and speed. Whoa, was that music live?? The sound towed me in through the crowd to gape agog.

This performer abounded with gratitude and cheer. There he was in tossing hair and rain boots and mismatched gloves and old-timey suspenders, laughing outright just to be here now. He readily looked around, exchanging bright-eyed glances and smiles with people passing by. “Thank you!” he called out to every single person who dropped change in the hat. Then between each piece he leaped in the air to wave his arms and introduce himself and the names of his original compositions, urging us all to enjoy a wonderful day. I got to chat with him a bit, asking him whether he ever sang along to his playing. “Oh no,” he quipped. “The consensus of my fans is that I do not.” (It was especially heartwarming that he attributed his good spirits and inspiration to Mrs. Circus, who kept a steady supportive presence in the crowd nearby.)

It was puzzling to see sightseers just stroll on past him as if none of it were happening. How is that even possible? As a tourist I’d have to chalk that up to the folks of Seattle being refreshingly calm and accepting. They float about in a peaceable manner without plowing each other out of the way, and would actually apologize when they crossed my line of vision! They won’t ask you through a bullhorn whether you’ve accepted Jesus, they are unruffled by special public events where clothing is optional, and there’s not a car horn or hollered insult to be heard. (Unfortunately this makes it easy for 1 driver in 20 to cruise around without headlights at night, and even to take short cuts up one-way streets.)

But all this open-minded tolerance might just be adding cotton wool to their perception of extreme talent when they see it. I wish we could move this piano setup to a safe venue in Manhattan, where people would be very quick to notice him. He’d be perfect as a regular on Seinfeld; as the show’s cast members flail around on their hapless adventures, Jeffrey Circus could be the tireless musician on the sidewalk or their favorite tavern, calling out bright philosophical sparks of wisdom. Just last night I clicked through all the songs of a hit show on Broadway getting rave reviews. None of them held a candle to this.

Over the years since that vacation there have been plenty of street musicians to hear and see. But the memory of that music still shimmers along. Was that radiant young fella still playing piano, with his heartening sense of cheer?

Then just last night it dawned on me: there might be a YouTube channel. Eureka! There he is. It turns out that tourists from all over the world were of one mind about Jeffrey’s talent, and had the film gear to prove it. Here are just a few clips with searchable titles and links.

Title: “Ghost Town” This is my favorite one of his pieces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx8K6Upa4bo&list=RDMM&index=3

Title: “Jeffrey Circus Seattle Busker”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5Ahxtw0S7E

It’s especially endearing to see this resolution to the question: To sing or not to sing?

Title: “Jeffrey Circus – How Could That Get Old (Official Music Video)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5AcwDUUmbI&list=RDMM&index=3

What a gift it is, to witness someone with a talent used so beautifully, for the good of so many people. Thank you, Jeffrey Circus. Wishing the Circus Family many wonderful days.