Long live the legends of jazz

Friday, May 23, 2003
Edition: METROPOLITAN,
Section: METRO, Page B1
Byline: STEVE PENN

Even senior jazz legends can't stay out past their bedtime.

And too much alcohol at an advanced age is a no-no.

I gleaned those and other bits of wisdom backstage at the second annual Coda Jazz Fund benefit concert Saturday at the Gem Theater.

The event was notable for the memorable performances by 95-year-old Claude "Fiddler" Williams, 87-year-old pianist Jay McShann and 82-year-old trumpeter Clark Terry. Although the amount raised for the fund isn't expected to be known for several weeks, the sold-out show was a big success.

On stage, each of the legendary showmen displayed the calmness of seasoned veterans. No stress. No sweat.

But all good things must end. By 10:20 p.m. , the three legends were growing weary. All three departed well before the program was over. As a result, there was no finale. And that was just fine.

Even jazz legends need to get their rest.

In between their performances, I tried to unlock some of their secrets to longevity. After all, Terry, McShann and Williams defy the stigma often associated with jazz musicians - that they live fast and die young.

Together they have a combined 264 years on earth.

"I wish I knew what my secret was," Williams said. "I'd try to sell it and try to get me some money on it."

Williams tries to get 12 hours of sleep each night. He admits having a sweet tooth. Put a lemon pie in front of him and watch it disappear.

"I'm a sweet eater," Williams said. "I love lemon pie and sweet potato pie."

His wife concurred.

"Claude has lots of sugar and lots of salt in his diet," Blanche Williams said. "That's his secret to longevity. That's how he's lived to be his age. Anybody that knows him will tell you the same thing."

Williams drinks alcohol in moderation, preferring a bit of cognac occasionally.

"I used to like whiskey," Williams said. "But it's been a long time since I've been drunk."

Clark Terry may be blind and in a wheelchair because of diabetes, but he is still working and playing his horn effectively.

"I try to sleep right, eat right, do right and pray," Terry said.

Terry's a light sleeper. He can't remember a night when he's slept more than an hour or so at a stretch.

With diabetes, Terry has a special diet.

"I have to steer clear of the sweets and the fried stuff," Terry said. "I have to eat a pretty wholesome diet."

Terry had surgery for colon cancer a few years ago. He has recovered well.

"I'm still hanging on," Terry said.

When I found McShann backstage, he was munching on cheese and fruit.

"He can't have anything sweet," said his wife, Marianne McShann. "He can't have anything fried."

Otherwise, McShann eats whatever he wants.

Like Williams, McShann once enjoyed a stiff drink.

"I used to drink a lot of booze," McShann said. "I used to drink bourbon. Then I drank scotch for a while."

McShann also once smoked cigarettes.

"I just shut them both off," McShann said. "I stopped smoking, and I quit drinking at the same time. I haven't been drunk for over 20 years."

McShann then leaned over to me, glanced at his wife and whispered one last bit of advice: "Don't let nobody kid you. You also have to have a good woman. They really take care of you."

All three spread some good sounds and some good will on stage. Backstage, they ended up spreading some sound advice as well.