Most of my playing is a public performance, much like what others have said. Played this week for a large group of seniors. Got three requests, two of which I knew. I knew “Without A Song” and “Wandering Star”. Have heard, but didn’t know “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me”. Promised to learn it. Another thought: how many musicians who play(ed) live were more or less in the background and not center stage? Did Freddie Green of the Basie band ever play a solo? But, yet, these folks are indispensable in terms of the group’s sound. A close friend, who directed a college jazz band for years, said that in building a band from scratch, his first choice would be the bass player, followed by the rhythm section. These would be selected before the lead trumpet player, who often gets the limelight, he said.