Chas, one thing I struggle with is, I put substantial backing behind a local jazz education program for disadvantaged kids. I fund a program that annually involves over 50 kids. All get lessons, a place to hang out and can earn instruments with successful completion. And yet, when it gets right down to it, knowing what I know about the jazz lifestyle, I'm not sure I can unconditionally recommend choosing jazz as a lifetime career. It's sad that something so deep and meaningful on one level is so capable of causing frustration, poverty, etc.

When I sold my farm in 2000, I set up a charitable trust which generates around $75,000 annually. I add an equal amount from my personal assets/income, and play one job a week which goes to a group dedicated to nursing home reform (about $15,000 annually for that group).

But I could do more. I still have 5 new cars, 4 new motorcycles, old restored cars and scooters, airplanes, 300 plus stringed instruments, 12 keyboards, two homes, other property...way too many "toys"... too many possessions that could be sold to help others. I could easily add a 2nd charity job a week.

Sometimes, I think, on both the music side and on the "making a difference" side, I've done a half-assed job.

Growing up, I could never afford school lunch (I bought lunch for my brothers) and spent lots of time in the hospital with injuries inflicted by a crazy parent.

Now, It's country clubs, expensive meals, jewelry...too much unneeded stuff. In the meantime, a full year of college in Laos only costs $150.00...less than I paid for dinner with the grandkids last night.

And while I talk a good jazz game, the majority of my music income comes from forgettable "pablum" film scores that fat corporations pay entirely too much for.

I'm happy for what I have, but a little embarrased about it, and am re-thinking things at this stage of my life.

It feels good to do things for others, and doing more is the direction I'm going to go in the future. I know what it's like to have nothing, and can't get the millions who are now in that position out of my head.

I know...I'll start an effort to buy chicken hats for all...


Sorry for the rant...


Russ