[Dixielandjazz] Playing too long

[Patrick Cooke]

I was at Al Hirt's last performance. It was just a few weeks before he died.
It was very sad.  He had to be helped onto the stand, and he sat on a high
stool with a little back and side arms.
Al's health (and his playing) had been going downhill for quite some time,
but at his peak he was a truly remarkable player with dazzling technique,
phenomenal range, and blazing speed.  I had played with him in the late
40's/early 50's, and I never heard him miss a note.
It was truly sad to watch him in that final performance.
Knowing when to quit comes naturally for most ordinary players....you simply
don't get calls any more.
     When you have a big name, agents and promoters know that people will
come to see you out of a sense of nostalgia, and love you for what you used
to be able to do.
 Pat Cooke

----- Original Message -----
From: "Thompson" <res0a3qw@verizon.net>
To: "DJML" <dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 05, 2002 9:54 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Playing too long


> I think it is very sad for an accomplished musician to hang on long
> after they should have quit playing.   It is better for them to "retire"
> than not be able to play up to their standard.
>
> Just my opinion.
>
> Rebecca Thompson
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: dixielandjazz-admin@ml.islandnet.com
> [mailto:dixielandjazz-admin@ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of
> Artwoo@aol.com
> Sent: Saturday, October 05, 2002 8:42 PM
>
> I, for one, had tears as I realized that a great one was crumbling and
> had
> lost it.
>
>
>
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