mangotango Posted May 3, 2019 Share Posted May 3, 2019 Birthday soon - I hit 61 next week. And starting to feel my age. I invested in new gear just a little while back, but I did think twice, on the grounds of "Is this a bit of a luxury? - how much longer am I going to be doing this?" However, I had a bit of change of heart this week. About 6 weeks ago, I was asked to dep for a rehearsal big band. Show tunes, Miller, Basie, etc. Went OK, though if I'm honest I'm not a good enough sight-reader for that gig. Age-wise, I fit in pretty well, maybe even a bit younger than some of 'em. Afterwards, I passed over my card to the leader for future use and he noted that I also play guitar. Since their regular guitarist had done the off, I've been sitting in on guitar since then. This week, the regular bassist was once again absent, but I was asked to stay on the guitar as they'd sorted out another bassist. And this guy turned up - smashing old gent he was, name of Ray. Had a Fender Modern Player Jazz, Polytone Amp and got the closest sound to an upright that I've ever heard emerge from a bass guitar. I had a chat with him at the break and when he realised that I too was a bassist, we talked about that and I complimented him on his sound. He said that he wasn't all that happy with bass guitar - he'd played string bass (i.e. upright) for 50 years! Clearly I had a "Well how old are you then?" expression on my face, because he told me he's 88!!!!! Eighty - flippin' - eight!! So, still playing , sight-reading like a boss, driving to the gig, all at nearly 90 years old!....Ray, you are my new inspiration, sir. And I hope I'm still above ground and playing that well in nearly 30 years time!!! 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted May 3, 2019 Share Posted May 3, 2019 What a cheat, taking a 27-year head start. You just keep practising, and you'll be as good or better! 😉 Great story. Thanks for posting it. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted May 3, 2019 Share Posted May 3, 2019 That's great... On the other end of the spectrum...When you want to be demoralised watch some YT videos with 8 year olds flying all over the fretboard without thinking...as if it's what you're supposed to do... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted May 3, 2019 Share Posted May 3, 2019 My first gig at 17 was in a big band. I was the youngest by about 40 years but they were the guys who had been there at the time so to speak and had some amazing stories. It's a very different gig to playing in rock bands & doing weddings. Much more relaxed and usually a great laugh. The band leader was always telling me to turn down but the sax players would always turn round to me and tell me to turn back up I was in that band for a couple of years and learnt a great deal in that time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebigyin Posted May 3, 2019 Share Posted May 3, 2019 Great story....and like yourself hope i'm fit and well enough to still play to a ripe old age, i'm slightly younger than you at 57 and haven't played 'live' for over 4 years and do miss it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted May 3, 2019 Share Posted May 3, 2019 My regular jazz gig is with guys all well into their 70s. One of my students is 82. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurksalot Posted May 3, 2019 Share Posted May 3, 2019 3 hours ago, ambient said: My regular jazz gig is with guys all well into their 70s. One of my students is 82. I was 82 once I raced karts and 82 was my club race number 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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