Musicians who quit the game

[Joe G]

And that f@#ker was nominated for a Grammy!

[Ron S]

As someone who seems to be in a perennial mid-life crisis, I find all of that very encouraging. B-)

[Soul Stream]

game?

Just another word for the music profession.

[Jazz Kat]

Heres an attempt at a serious answer:

AS someone who literally worked in the music business as a drummer/arranger /composer / producer my eintire 40 year working life, I can state several truths ( at least they are for me ):

1. Very little of what I did had any connection with "jazz" per se ..aside from the odd rehearsal band or session ..

2. To enable yourself tot survive in the above career, most of what you are forced to play or write will not be to your taste, but you still have to learn how to deal with it effectively or you won't have any clients.

3. the crappy music you can learn to deal with on autopilot ..it's the" Clients" that will eventually get to you.

4. Taking 1,2,and 3 into consideration, burnout is pretty well nigh a sure thing.

However:

5. After retiring, relocating to the NW, and after five years totally away from music, after my late wife died, I found myself actually "interested" in jazz again through some coaching at a couple jazz clinics. Eventually, I started writng and producing again , but only for "fun" ..stuff I WANTED to do. (no clients )

Now I can honestly say, I do have the greatest "hobby" in the world ( and one that I'm already experienced with and merely going through a period of re-acquaintment with ..and I'm gradually stretching the barriers again ..just like when I was 20 and learning jazz the first time.

All this has led to a new "career" as a jazz producer ..and the issuing of my first ( so far ) CD in my 40 some year career as a musician, as well as several other FUN jazz projects along the line.

true story ..

drummer too? That's awesome.

[Peter Johnson]

And that f@#ker was nominated for a Grammy!

And that f@#cker better get his Prevailing Winds back to Seattle post haste so I can hear them live!!!

Just kidding, Phil--you told me it's not easy to put the group together. Still keepin' my fingers crossed!!!

[Joe G]

Of course I was referring to the CD when I said "that f@#cker".

[Soul Stream]

Along the lines of the original intent of the thread.... I think I've finally come to the decision to throw in the towel. I've thought long and hard about it and have come close to quitting many times. However, things seem different this time. I think I've finally realized the opportunities (ie clubs) to play jazz organ just don't exist much these days south of Philadelphia. Been scrambling trying to "invent" places that really cater to rock or roots music. To boot, Organ many times is frowned upon in jazz clubs. Too jazz for blues clubs, too blues for jazz clubs.

So, after getting canned again today, I've just given up. I'll be calling it quits when my gig ends in April.

[Jim Alfredson]

I'm sorry to hear this, Mike. I really don't know what to say except that I hope you keep playing in private and maybe in a few years you can try to come back out.

Frankly, we've found that we need to be musical chameleons to stay afloat. In very few clubs can we play straight-ahead. We normally do a mixture of blues, funky stuff, hippy jam-band stuff, and jazz.

[Dan Gould]

Like Jim, I don't know what to say, Mike, except that I'm sorry you feel like its time to throw in the towel.

[Jazz Kat]

Makes it so not encouraging for a kid who wants to do this for a living when he gets older.

[Free For All]

Mike, all I can add is "never say never". Maybe you do need a change; take some time away from the music to contemplate your situation. You never know what might yet come your way, music or otherwise!

Whatever you decide, I hope you continue to let us know what's up, and know that you have a lot of supportive friends here.

[Jazz Kat]

Even if you just do it on the side. I mean you can get a job that supports you well enough and still do what you love to do and not worry about how much you get screwed, or how little you get paid.

[Jazz Kat]

I assume that's what I'll do. If I can't make it just playing jazz.

[Soul Stream]

Thanks Jim, Dan, Free For All and Jazz Kat,

I've been trying to make this work for years now as far as the organ trio goes. I could continue to work as a rock/funk/soul bar band sideman. Just don't have the enthusiasm for that much these days. The trio was the thing that always kept me going after every lame but well paying R&B gig.

But, without people interested in coming to see live organ soul jazz, I can't make it. I can't waste my life waitin' for 1965 to come back. Like an older jazz organist told me when I first started playin', "Why do you want to become an antique before you even start?!" That's making a lot of sense right about now.

So my last trio gig is in April and I won't be looking for any more gigs after that. At least my final gig is backing up Marchel Ivery.

Edited March 26, 2005 by Soul Stream

[Jazz Kat]

And I thought organ trios were hot these days. Why dontcha come to New York.

[Free For All]

Makes it so not encouraging for a kid who wants to do this for a living when he gets older.

Jazz Kat: Everyone's journey is different. It's a tough way to make a living- you have to learn to balance artistic integrity with the realities of paying the bills and the indignities inherent to the music business in general. It's not for everyone, that's for sure. There are a lot of players competing for too few jobs, so you have to have it on the ball as a player/writer/bandleader/businessman etc.

Now in case I sound discouraging, let me also add that the rewards can make it all worth it.

Everyone's journey is different.

Edited March 26, 2005 by Free For All

[Jazz Kat]

Well I can't even play jazz anymore except along to records. Either the people I can actually play with dont want to or can not play jazz. Most of them have both problems. My friend took me to play with these guys once and it was very rewarding. Haven't done it again. I really would like to start a trio or something, but I have no way of looking or finding any worthy players.

[Free For All]

Well I can't even play jazz anymore except along to records.

Dude, you're like 16, right? You've got a little time left to get out and find some like-minded people to hang with. In the meantime, work to become the best musician you can be.

This is the time to be listening, practicing and learning. Bitching and moaning comes later!

[Jazz Kat]

I would like to get the feeling of playing with other cats. That's the best way.

[Jazz Kat]

So I hear...

[Free For All]

I would like to get the feeling of playing with other cats. That's the best way.

You're exactly right, *experience* is the best teacher. That's part of the "listening, learning and practicing" process.

...but there is also the time you spend preparing to play with others- learning your axe, learning tunes (and theory ) and studying recordings.

[Jazz Kat]

I been doing that for 15 years. can I move on already!!

[Free For All]

I been doing that for 15 years. can I move on already!! 

Wow, I didn't even start playing until I was, like, 10. So you were groovin' when you were one?

[Jazz Kat]

My mom tells me my dad had me down stairs at the drums when I was 15 months old.

[Free For All]