The Furious Jazz
About This Machine
The Furious Jazz is a rare and enigmatic pinball machine that has piqued the interest of collectors and historians. While its exact origins are unknown, this Pure Mechanical (PM) game stands out for its unique design and gameplay features that set it apart from other machines of its time. The inclusion of 10 snap traps and a shooter lane that allows the ball to loop 360 degrees around the playfield before entering into play is particularly noteworthy. This innovative feature would have provided players with an exciting challenge, requiring precision and strategy to navigate.
The game's design and art are also notable for their attention to detail and thematic coherence. The gold-colored background and painted jazz musicians add a touch of sophistication and elegance, while the use of French phrases like "FAUSSE NOTE" (false note) adds an air of whimsy. The vertical lane in the upper playfield, which delivers balls directly to a trap hole, is another clever design element that rewards skillful players. Unfortunately, the poor-quality images available do not provide clear insight into how trapped balls are released back into play.
Despite its unknown history and limited documentation, the Furious Jazz remains an intriguing example of pinball's evolution and innovation in the early days of the game. Its unique features and design elements make it a fascinating addition to any collection, and its enigmatic nature only adds to its allure. As collectors continue to search for more information about this elusive machine, one thing is clear: the Furious Jazz is a rare and special pinball that deserves closer examination and appreciation.
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Music
- Notable Features:
- Snap traps (10). This game has a shooter lane to allow the ball to loop 360 degrees around the playfield before entering into play. The outhole trough is very long and curved. Above it are the words 'FAUSSE NOTE' [French: false note]. Two metal rails form a vertical lane in the upper playfield with its upper opening at the top of the playfield as a skill shot. This lane delivers the ball directly to a trap hole in the center playfield. This center trap hole is inside a U-shaped rail forming a cup such that once the trap is shut, future balls would land in this cup. In the pictures we saw of this game, we cannot see how these trapped balls would release to the player at start of game unless the U-shaped rail itself pivots up to release them. The playfield has a gold-colored background. The center trap hole has painted around it a jazz musician in black tuxedo. A musician in red tuxedo is painted around each of the other holes and at the opening of the vertical lane. In the poor-quality images we saw, the musicians either were wearing black-face or were painted with uncomplimentary racial caricatures. The upper and lower aprons are unpainted wood. The lower apron has a large round gold label on each side with text. The name of the game is displayed in the middle area of the playfield in green stenciled lettering.