[Dixielandjazz] When to pack it in?

[Tony Pringle]

Hi,

This is a subject that has been on my mind a lot lately. Part of it 
started after hearing a band which was a nice little band and I hadn't 
heard them for a few years and then I did. They played not so bad, but 
the energy was gone and tuning was not quite right, in fact I don't 
think they did tune up, but just pulled out their horns, blew a few 
notes, went to get a beer, then sat down and started playing and it 
wasn't good. All I could think of was that i hoped I packed in it before 
I get to the point where the music is no longer good.

Seeing some of the comments from others I was reminded of a very sad 
time. It was just after I had moved to USA probably late 1967 or early 
1968. My wife used to watch the Herb Alpert show and called me in to 
watch telling me that Louis Armstrong was on next. I hadn't heard Louis 
for quite some years and I sat down to enjoy the experience. It was 
awful, he could hardly play at all and fell back on singing. I just sat 
there and the tears ran down my face,

At that time I made my wife promise me that if she ever felt hat my 
playing was not up to some reasonable standard she would either throw my 
horn away or give it to the Salvation Army.

I think I still feel that way. I would rather stop playing and have the 
memories of all the good times that I have had with my bands. This music 
has been a joy for me since about 1954 - 57 years is pretty good!

I don't think that I am there yet, but do feel that the day will come 
and hope I do the right thing.

One man's opinion!

Cheers,

Tony Pringle
Leader, New Black Eagle Jazz Band