I recently received an email from an old college acquaintance inviting me to a class reunion. We were the class of 1966, a full 60 years ago. It was a small college then with a graduating class that numbered something short of 200. The email said that only seven of us had signed up for the reunion. Many of the class had passed away, and many more are dealing with the health issues that come with aging.
I’m grateful for being in good health, and I attribute much of that to my life in music. Playing music requires both physical and mental capability. Your hours on the bandstand require you to be in good physical shape, especially to play music with precision and intensity. Just getting ready to perform, including moving and setting up equipment on the job, can be demanding. (As one of my favorite fellow players says about setting up, “This is what we get paid for; the music is free.”) As well, playing requires you to be mentally sharp, to be able to focus, think clearly, and make quick decisions.
Not only is being physically and mentally capable essential to play and perform music, playing and performing helps you maintain that same physical and mental well being. Using your mind and your body to practice, play, and perform supports your efforts to stay fit and sharp.
Many jazz musicians in eras past abused themselves with drugs and alcohol. Interestingly, you won’t find that kind of behavior in today’s players. None of the musicians I have been privileged to come to know and work with have succumbed to cocaine or heroin; many don’t drink at all. Playing jazz demands you have all your wits about you to play your best. You want to be in your best shape, mentally as well as physically. And If you are, the music will serve to keep you young.