I saw a man this weekend he was 82 years old playing in a community band. He was playing a 30 year old king 2b silver sonic. after watching for a few minits it was aparent that he didnt know how to read music. I began thinking to my self man that man doesnt deserve a horn like that. He is to old and has no skill. Well i listened to the band play for over an hour then they took a break, I went up to try to talk to him but befor i could get there a couple of younger ladies (probobly his grand children) helped him off the stage and away from the people around. I found my self talking to the other trombone player in the band....She said that no he cant read music but that he had been playing professionaly in dixy land bands for over 60 years, that he had the best ears around. She then said if he wasnt blind he probobly could read the music but since he cant see the pages he just hears it instead.
I felt so guilty, here i am a 26 yr old musician that will probobly never have the musical skills of that man and i was judging him.

as we sit in a competetive industry we are CONTSTANTLY sizing up the next man. So dont feel guilty, just be more careful of what you say. Trust me though, the old guys are the guys to hang out with. The old guys will ALWAYS have the best swing, they have been listening to jazz all their lives and now EXACTLY how to lay those eieth notes. Oh that horn thing you said about him not deserving it... come oooon