| Each month, we profile one or more Jazz Foundation of America musician clients, in order to give you, our generous supporters, an inside look at the myriad of issues our musician community faces. We are grateful to the musicians who grant us permission to share their story with you. |
RC is a 79-year-old pianist/composer residing in New Jersey. From an early age, his greatest musical influences included Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock. As a young child, he exhibited a passion and tremendous talent for performance. He later attended a prestigious performing arts high school and graduated from a leading conservatory. Thereafter, RC embarked on an extensive touring schedule and traveled throughout Europe and across the United States for six decades. Not only did he perform with Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey and Roy Haynes (among others), but RC has earned a reputation as highly respected bandleader for many of his own bands.
But just as he was at the top of his game, RC contracted hepatitis C. As a result, RC required both a lung and liver transplant. It was around this time ten years ago that a band member contacted the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA) asking if we could provide assistance, as RC’s longtime life partner had passed away and he lives alone. Immediately, our social work team reached out to RC and began an ongoing, warm relationship with this very unique individual.
Very unfortunately, following the surgeries, RC then developed circulatory problems, which eventually led to his left leg having to be amputated below the knee. Regardless, and with tremendous support and encouragement from his friends, fellow musicians and the Jazz Foundation team, RC was intent on being able to eventually return to his beloved two-story home of many years. To make that possible, the JFA had his home retrofitted (including an exterior ramp and interior bathroom), which allowed him to continue living independently and safely.
Eventually after much rehabbing and learning how to navigate through the amputation, RC was back gigging and living his life to the fullest, as if he had no limitations. Then tragedy struck again.
Three months ago, on a frigid January evening, RC’s Jazz Foundation social worker received a call that RC had missed rehearsal as well as the first set of a high-profile engagement. Immediately, the Jazz Foundation’s social work team member flew into action, reaching out to RC by cell, at home, contacting his agent, other band members and repeatedly reaching out to the local area police to request a “wellness check” in light of RC’s health history. As time passed and still no word from RC, our social worker again contacted the police and this time asked to send an ambulance and remained on the phone as they arrived to RC’s home. After multiple attempts to enter the home, the police broke in to find RC delirious, dehydrated and confused. The police put RC on speaker phone with our JFA social worker, who convinced him to agree to be taken to the hospital, and promised that she would meet him there. When she arrived in the middle of the night, she learned that RC had experiened a full-blown stroke, but was alive.
RC remained in hospital several weeks, and the JFA team was there often to bring him comfort and encouragement. The JFA team members even went so far as to return to RC’s home several times to bring him clothing and other items he requested, including a hot cup of coffee from his home coffee maker. As RC prepared to move from the hospital into rehab, the JFA team member was once again by his side and navigated through the system to secure a rehab facility that had a piano. What better therapy for a pianist?
Sure enough, once RC settled into rehab, his first request was to play the piano. And though challenging, given all he had been through of late, his pain and discomfort seemingly washed away when he played. Before long, RC was entertaining his fellow rehab patients and the staff with his incredible gift.
Miraculously, RC has returned home and is doing well, surrounded with the love and support of friends, including all of us at the Jazz Foundation to whom he means so much. Although he has a journey ahead of him, RC has never shied from a challenge, and isn’t planning to do so now.
