| Real World |
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Sonny Rollins: interviewed by ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"What you have to confront if you’re a young gifted musician is what some people call the “real world.” But your music, which is the real real world, that comes first. The world of making a living, putting bread on the table, you meet a girl and get married, support a family. But music takes a lot of time and dedication. You run up against the so-called “real world,” so that’s a big wall between your aspirations and what you are actually able to accomplish.
If you love music and think you have some aptitude, then I would just say, “Do it to the greatest level you can, feel privileged that you have that gift, and as for the rest, who can say?” Being a musician and raising a family are often two antithetical things. But as far as the music, if you have the aptitude, the talent, and you love it, consider yourself blessed that you have that understanding and love of music in this life. That in itself is a great blessing. But as far as earning a living, there’s not much one can say. We live in a world that’s all about making money and having things—big cars, big homes—and you’re running into a conflict. But if you love music, there’s nothing like it. If you’re gifted and you can play it, I wish you well, and just continue doing it. But don’t expect anything, because in the world in which we live, people who are artists, painters, musicians, writers, we can’t expect anything in this world. The way the world is set up, it’s not for us. But it’s not a negative thing. It’s still a wonderful thing anyway. "
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