Artists that retired at the top of their game.

[Hardbopjazz]

I can think of two

1. Henry Grimes

2. Teddy Charles

Would Horace Silver fit into this? He is retired.

[jlhoots]

As you probably know, Grimes is back playing.

I suppose someone like Lucky Thompson might qualify, although I'm not sure he retired in the usual sense of the word.

[ep1str0phy]

How many cats do retire in the usual sense of the world? Right now, I'm thinking about the dozens of ESP artists who've been virtually incommunicado the last few decades (speaking of Henry Grimes--what happened to Tom Price?). And what of Walt Dickerson--still around, but virtually unheard?

[Free For All]

A long time ago (when I was young and stupid) I would hear an artist who was no longer at the peak of his/her powers and think "this person should just retire and not embarrass themself anymore".

I now realize that playing is what keeps one alive in mind and body. An artist who "retires" usually does so only because they are physically or mentally incapable of playing anymore, and often they pass away not long after. Giving up what you love to do the most would have to be hard and more than a little discouraging to say the least.

That's why I can enjoy a performance by an artist who may no longer be at the "peak of their powers", and frequently you get to hear the old lions roar one more time. Some of these players at 75% of their previous potential still sound better than some of the "young bucks" who may be at full strength chop-wise, but haven't lived enough to have a whole lot to say.

[Shawn]

I would suggest Bill Withers. He made a pile of money and then retired (aside from a couple instances) to watch his kids grow up.

Edited March 13, 2006 by Shawn

[GA Russell]

George Wallington comes to mind.

[md655321]

The reason so few great artists retire is because that NEED to play is exactly what made them great in the first place.

An obvious one that pulled a Michael Jordan was Miles.

[Sundog]

Artie Shaw

[WD45]

Artie Shaw

Yep

[catesta]

Artie Shaw

For sure.

[HolyStitt]

Artie Shaw

He is the biggest example I can think of.

[Quincy]

Not jazz, but Don Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart).

[ep1str0phy]

A long time ago (when I was young and stupid) I would hear an artist who was no longer at the peak of his/her powers and think "this person should just retire and not embarrass themself anymore".

I now realize that playing is what keeps one alive in mind and body. An artist who "retires" usually does so only because they are physically or mentally incapable of playing anymore, and often they pass away not long after. Giving up what you love to do the most would have to be hard and more than a little discouraging to say the least.

That's why I can enjoy a performance by an artist who may no longer be at the "peak of their powers", and frequently you get to hear the old lions roar one more time. Some of these players at 75% of their previous potential still sound better than some of the "young bucks" who may be at full strength chop-wise, but haven't lived enough to have a whole lot to say.

amen.

[clifford_thornton]

Not jazz, but Don Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart).

A lot of what retired van Vliet was illness - he has MS, if I am not mistaken.

[Chuck Nessa]

Bix, Eddie Costa, Eddie Lang, Bird, Herbie Nichols, etc.

[bertrand]

Teddy Charles is still playing.

Herbie Nichols retired by dying. If you widen the net to include that scenario, then I could list hundreds of names.

Bertrand.

[jlhoots]

Herbie Nichols retired by dying. If you widen the net to include that scenario, then I could list hundreds of names.

Bertrand.

Isn't that true of all of Chuck's list?

I'm not sure about Eddie Lang.

[.:.impossible]

I feel like I've read that Teddy Charles was sort of brought out of retirement recently. Bertrand, you know of instances when he has played out recently? Actual gigs? Where?

[brownie]

Hal McKusick did retire even though he still performs from time to time.

Remember reading somewhere he was flying airplanes in the Caribbean at some point.

[Hot Ptah]

Thelonious Monk stopped playing for several years before his death, due to illness. I don't know if that qualifies.

[bertrand]

Teddy Charles played at Blues Alley in D.C. last year.

Bertrand.

[Д.Д.]

Not jazz, but Don Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart).

A lot of what retired van Vliet was illness - he has MS, if I am not mistaken.

Vliet got sick way after he retired from music, iirc.

I agree, I think we should distinguish between "retired" and, well, "forced to retire".

Poeple who can afford making a living by playing/recording but retire volunterely because they feel they are not up to the level they once set, is one thing. I assume it would take a great deal of courage to do it, and probably very few people can (although some should, IMO - has anybody seen Dewey Redman's recent concerts? ... Archie Shepp? Sonny Rollins? Sunny Murray?).

People who are forced to retire (often at their prime) becasue they cannot make a living playing the music are a different case. And there are dozens of names. ESP guys for sure (Giuseppi Logan, in particular); Charles Brakeen... many many others, unfortunately.

[AllenLowe]

last I heard, McKusic was living out toward the Hamptons, still played "fancy" gigs (expensive weddings, etc) and is/was, I think, in the antique business -

[AllenLowe]

Wallington went into the family air conditioning business, as i recall. He used to live in the same neighborhood as Al Haig, who told me he would often see him while walking his dog. I asked Haig, "gee, what do you guys say to each other?" Haig looked at me and answered: " I say, 'hi George.' He says, 'hi Al."

[paul secor]

Herbie Nichols retired by dying. If you widen the net to include that scenario, then I could list hundreds of names.

Bertrand.

Isn't that true of all of Chuck's list?

I'm not sure about Eddie Lang.

I'm assuming that Chuck's point was ironic - all of the people he listed died relatively young, while at or near the height of their creativity.

Edited March 14, 2006 by paul secor