Drummer Cafe Community Forum

I started gigging again following a 10 week layoff while recuperating from mild heart attack and triple bypass surgery.  I was lucky to step back into my Tuesday night jazz singer jam gig.

I've been feeling very good physically, and also feeling good about my playing, but last night got confirmation.

The jam has been opened up to musicians, too, and our special guest last night was one of the hottest sax players in Dallas.  We wound up playing an extra hour (getting paid for it, too!), and the last song had him, another tenor player, and a hot pianist along with me and the bassist.  After we finished a fast version of Monk's Rhythm-a-ning and I was packing up, our regular pianist, who I've known and played with for about five years, told me that might have been the best he'd ever heard me play, and complimented especially my fours with the other players.

Nice to know that at 58 you can still make progress, and that others will notice.

Maybe it's the increased blood flow to the brain.....

Nice!  Thanks for sharing.  Those are the kind of compliments that really pump you up.

There's a few of us 58 year old dogs than can still wail.....  ;D  Good to hear you're feeling better.   8)  My turn to host a jam tomorrow night, and I can hardly wait. Your post got me even more antsy to play.    :D

You guys are OLD  :P... I won't be 58 until next April  8)  ;D.

BigBill

You young whippersnappers have got it made.  I'll turn 60 in June '06.  

My face has worn out five bodies.  

I used to have hair (not sure, but I think Mr. A and Louis might have more hair than I do).  

I've got wrinkles on my wrinkles.  

My problem?  I refuse to grow up.  

Life is good.  Just remember to live your life, and you'll be fine.

Regards,
drumz1

rockin', paul... 8)

Good for all those great drummers that have sadly leaved us, (R.I.P.) and for those that are still with us!! :)

Me too BigBill, April 9th for me!  I wish these old men would move over and let up youngsters play!

It's great that your feeling so good, and playing so well, Paul!  I'm excited for your new-found health.  Don't cut yourself down for being an "old dog".

At 38, I'm one of the young whippersnappers in this thread, and although I've been playing for 25 years I would love to learn the OLD tricks, let alone new ones.  I've heard your excellent playing, Paul, and by comparison I swing like a monkey in a straightjacket.

Man, I love that line.  Hope you don't mind if I use it sometime.

In one of my jazz books someone describes a group saying "They could swing you into bad health."

At this point, just being above ground is a good thing.  Getting to play again just makes life that much sweeter.  January 4th I start back up with the big band, and can't wait for that.

Great news, Paul.  Nothing like having another musician tell you how good you sound.  Of course, I'm glad you're feeling better as well.

This, of course, is coming from a mere 52-year-old, so you can take a comment from a youngster with a grain of salt.....

I'm really happy things are working out for you Paul. It's always great to get a weell done from those you work with and who know you. I'll be 62 in May of 2006 and I like to think we are not really getting older, buy getting better. I also believe you can teach old dogs new tricks. I feel as though I learn new and better things each day. I've learned alot from the Cafe and the guys and gals here. These things give me the ability to be almost as quick now as I was some years ago. Having the fans behind you when you play doesn't hurt either. Keep up the good work, you have atleast another twenty years ahead of you. They will be a blast.

Ginko Biloba to the rescue!!!. Drink plent of fresh veggie juice drinks, fruit smoothies, get plenty of rest and your still a youngster Paul. Like the commercials say, 50 is the new 30. You tell us this story in 20 years and THAT will be something. Keep rockin bro.

I saw a cat in his 70's awhile back, maybe even his 80's... don't know for sure *he kinda looked almost petrified*

But every note he played was beautiful.  To get to that point would be incredible.

Roy Haynes is now in his 80s and looks anything but petrified.

Roy Haynes is my hero.  I got a cd this week that he recorded in 2001 at age 76, with Dave Holland, Kenny Garrett, Roy Hargrove, and Dave Kikoski.  Haynes drives that band like he's driven every band he's been in.  What a player!

He turned 80 this year.  I heard that there was a series of shows at a NYC club in celebration that will soon be a cd (and maybe a dvd?).  We can only hope.