Most of the performers I've seen recently are over 65!

[medjuck]

Recently l I've been to concerts by Leonard Cohen (74), and Bob Dylan (67). Tomorrow I'll see Brian Wilson (66) and later this year Charlie Haden (71) and Sonny Rollins (78). I also saw Radio Head but they don't count for purposes of this discussion. I saw Benny Carter perform when he was (I think) in his 90s. He paced himself but he was great. I guess as one gets older one's heros get older with you.

[A Lark Ascending]

Quite the opposite.

Although there are some tried and tested oldies that I'll still turn out for (John Taylor, Stan Tracey, Norma Winstone etc), I get the real buzz from seeing younger players emerging.

[AllenLowe]

let's not forget Grandma Moses -

and John McCain -

[RDK]

Hey Joe, where's Charlie performing?

[medjuck]

Hey Joe, where's Charlie performing?

Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara with the Liberation Jazz Orchestra!

[Rooster_Ties]

Actually, since I've been scouting talent for the jazz series I've been producing the last couple years -- I've actually been seeing more young(er)-ish performers in clubs (most under the age of 35) than I have in years. There's a whole new generation coming up, and scrapin' for gigs.

Maybe they've always been out there -- but in the last few years I've seen WAY more working musicians under the age of 30 than I ever remember seeing when I first moved here to KC in the mid 90's.

I know, cuz I always used to be younger than practically all the players in town I saw and knew. I turn 40 next year, and now I'm OLDER than most of the players I've been seeing (granted, I'm scouting for new talent, plus my more progressive tastes -- that skews the sample I'm seeing greatly).

Edited September 9, 2008 by Rooster_Ties

[Johnny E]

Recently l I've been to concerts by Leonard Cohen (74), and Bob Dylan (67). Tomorrow I'll see Brian Wilson (66) and later this year Charlie Haden (71) and Sonny Rollins (78). I also saw Radio Head but they don't count for purposes of this discussion. I saw Benny Carter perform when he was (I think) in his 90s. He paced himself but he was great. I guess as one gets older one's heros get older with you.

You saw Reptet and we're practically in diapers...no, wait a minute. we were actually wearing diapers!

[Guest Bill Barton]

So that's what Izaak wears under that Ham Suit...

For me it's a mix coming up in the next few weeks. Seeing Cecil Taylor (+65) solo once more is going to be a highlight and ditto for Charlie Haden & The Liberation Music Orchestra with Carla Bley (both +65). Georg Gräwe is only 52. And most of the other musicians playing in Seattle as part of the upcoming Earshot Jazz Festival are relatively young from my perspective.