Saxophones Playing at Old people’s home

[Ghr9204]

If one is wondering the type of people at a assisted living home, this is a dining room of one I played in with my portable sound system in 2014. Because of privacy requirements, the faces have been blurred.

Some are using walkers. I would say they were over 65, except for a few family members as guests visiting and eating with them. I guess it just depends on the location and possibly affected by government rules and how they operate to stay in business. I really haven't gotten into the details of how they operate. That's for those interested in being employed in the field. (I "paid my dues" now in full retirement, for someone else now.)

These people grew up listening to Lawrence Welk's Orchestra, Johnny Carson Show with Carl Hilding "Doc Severinsen's" Band, various performers on Ed Sullivan's Show. So, I think even Sammy Nestico - Count Basie music goes well, along with some pre-1960's swing, also Motown.

I had one take a photo of me with my camera, so I had something for my record.

This facility may have a nurse on duty or part-time duty who at extra cost can administer medications like shots, these people do not require 24 hour nursing, just some help with everyday living like cooking, room cleaning. (Again, I am not into the full details of what services are provided.)

The other venue is nursing homes, which have 24 hour nursing care. Hospitals are very expensive due to their facilities, nature and care. Where a doctor is not required to be available 24 hours, these facilities are a lower cost option where 24 hour convalescent care is required. So a patient may be moved from a hospital to there to recover. Their doctor may come periodically to check up on them. The nurses provide treatments, IV's, therapies, administer medications, sponge bathe if person cannot shower, etc. There is a kitchen, able patients dine, unable food is brought to their room. There are many older people being treated in these facilities, but I've seen an occasional younger one too, like an adolescent and teenager.

Thus, a repitoire here can be music for young and old. I spoke with one senior hispanic man before Covid there. His family members do not visit him. So, I gather there is a lot of loneliness. Sometimes I visit and speak with the patients after playing. Music is a way to cheer them up and add a sense of festivity to the environment.

The staff also enjoys it, because it adds cheerfulness to an otherwise mundane but necessary duties they must do. Nursing home work is hard work, why they have frequent staff turnovers. They actually look forward to the music we can provide.

 

[LostCircuits]

If one is wondering the type of people at a assisted living home, this is a dining room of one I played in with my portable sound system in 2014. Because of privacy requirements, the faces have been blurred.

View attachment 29734

Some are using walkers. I would say they were over 65, except for a few family members as guests visiting and eating with them. I guess it just depends on the location and possibly affected by government rules and how they operate to stay in business. I really haven't gotten into the details of how they operate. That's for those interested in being employed in the field. (I "paid my dues" now in full retirement, for someone else now.)

These people grew up listening to Lawrence Welk's Orchestra, Johnny Carson Show with Carl Hilding "Doc Severinsen's" Band, various performers on Ed Sullivan's Show. So, I think even Sammy Nestico - Count Basie music goes well, along with some pre-1960's swing, also Motown.

I had one take a photo of me with my camera, so I had something for my record.

View attachment 29735

This facility may have a nurse on duty or part-time duty who at extra cost can administer medications like shots, these people do not require 24 hour nursing, just some help with everyday living like cooking, room cleaning. (Again, I am not into the full details of what services are provided.)

The other venue is nursing homes, which have 24 hour nursing care. Hospitals are very expensive due to their facilities, nature and care. Where a doctor is not required to be available 24 hours, these facilities are a lower cost option where 24 hour convalescent care is required. So a patient may be moved from a hospital to there to recover. Their doctor may come periodically to check up on them. The nurses provide treatments, IV's, therapies, administer medications, sponge bathe if person cannot shower, etc. There is a kitchen, able patients dine, unable food is brought to their room. There are many older people being treated in these facilities, but I've seen an occasional younger one too, like an adolescent and teenager.

Thus, a repitoire here can be music for young and old. I spoke with one senior hispanic man before Covid there. His family members do not visit him. So, I gather there is a lot of loneliness. Sometimes I visit and speak with the patients after playing. Music is a way to cheer them up and add a sense of festivity to the environment.

The staff also enjoys it, because it adds cheerfulness to an otherwise mundane but necessary duties they must do. Nursing home work is hard work, why they have frequent staff turnovers. They actually look forward to the music we can provide.

I played a few nursing homes and the most "lingering" experience was that the attendees embrace the music and the opportunity to listen and maybe dance because everybody is aware that it may be the last time, so why not enjoy it to its fullest extent.

It's very different from playing for a young crowd craving virtuosity, these folks want tunes of their teens and tweens (1950s-70s) that bring back memories of times lost. And the occasional pop song like Time after time.

 

[Ghr9204]

I did it at 4 nursing facilities, a different facility for one day a week for an hour, for 48 out of 52 weeks a year for 3 years, prior to Covid. (Covid locked all outsiders out, policy continued almost 1.5 years after that in New Mexico.)

I met all types of patients, yes some are short of hospice, but not everyone. Patients come and go. A few stay for longer. Some staff came and went.

I did it as a volunteer hobbyist musician and visitation with patients as a soldier of the Salvation Army. What I learned is that a variety of genres of music is good because of different tastes.

But because I was different, they enjoyed even traditional jazz standards. This is why I felt that the OP's initial try with these is still a good do.

And, people actually look forward to a live musician, and because I did jazz improv, being different than other groups, church groups, civic groups and etc., I brought something different, something refreshing.

Personally I found it fun to do and encouraging, hence why I promote for other upcoming jazz saxists to give it a try too, to expand your horizons. 😀

 

[eb424]

Couldn't agree more than what those here have said. As long as you enjoy it the residents will. I feel 25 mins with a short break is probably suitable but check in how people are engaging and don't break that if possible. I played mainly sing a long songs from all eras from the 50s onwards buteveryone sung to sweet caroline and daydream believer. Good luck with it @Punchysax be prepared for anything. Playing at one establishment someone walked in almost naked screamed and walked out...I shouldn't have really..

But seriously that happened

 

[Dr G]

I played a few nursing homes and the most "lingering" experience was that the attendees embrace the music and the opportunity to listen and maybe dance because everybody is aware that it may be the last time, so why not enjoy it to its fullest extent.

It's very different from playing for a young crowd craving virtuosity, these folks want tunes of their teens and tweens (1950s-70s) that bring back memories of times lost. And the occasional pop song like Time after time.

Music of the 1950s-70s includes Weather Report, Coltrane, Gene Ammons, and Eric Clapton too. And lets’s not forget the Animals and the Monkees.

Edit: Autocorrect spelling corrected. Thanks for spotting that, Rhys.

 

[rhysonsax]

Music of the 1950s-70s includes Weather Report, Coltrane, Gene Ammons, and Eric Clapton too. And lets’s not forget the Animals and the Monkeys.

Would that be The Monkees ?

Rhys

 

[eb424]

Would that be The Monkees ?

Rhys

Cheeky monkee

 

[dexdex]

Hi All. I do it once a month at my Mom’s senior residence. 1 hour, about 10-12 tunes, have some backup. I play tenor & soprano, over backing tracks. A mix of trad jazz Bechet style, bossa novas, standards, some classic pops of the 60s, some early smooth stuff.
An hour non-stop can be exhausting, so what I do is some chatter before each tune. A couple of words about the original artist, context, or, more personally, whatever own anecdotes related to this or that song.
I even have the staff coming out of their offices and sitting in, so I guess it is the way to do it.
Speaking of gear, I noticed that where I play, very soft volume is expected. I play smaller mouthpiece tips than usual, and a plain beefy BT loudspeaker like a Bose Revolve Plus is enough for the tracks. I use a separate device, iPad Mini, to avoid disturbance by potential phone calls.

 

[rhysonsax]

Last summer our saxophone quartet played a slot at my mum's care home. Actually we "headlined their music festival" which just means we appeared first on the publicity poster !

We had a mixed programme of material including a tune from the Disney Jungle Book film, a Louis Armstrong tune, some jazz and some pop tunes from the 60s to 80s.

We played outside in the sunshine, had some good interactions with the residents and their families and got some nice compliments. As we were packing up our instruments and stands one of the care home managers came up to me, I thought to congratulate us and discuss making another booking, but she said something along the lines of "Just a tip from me, if you ever play in a care home again, make sure you don't play your last but one tune. It makes the residents think of funerals".

Our penultimate tune was just a short one which I had adapted for saxophone quartet from a Thelonious Monk recording.

View: https://youtu.be/lT-whyFHlYA?si=Bd74jq40Vnf3KnyP


Rhys

 

[PiccoloPirate]

White Christmas and Jingle Bells?
Backing track with Gloria and the Conga?
Have the kitchen make Flan. 😜

On a serious note, might be a good idea, to poll the people, at each facility, as to tunes they would love to hear.
Just drive over, and leave some flyers.

Back in the late '70s, sitting at the pool, while visiting Mom/Dad at the condo, I would play just about anything, solo flute. The people just enjoyed the sound of the flute.
The important lesson learned, to beat the Summer heat, have a large Rum&Coke, rinse and blow.
Lush Life, in the Caribbean. 🎶🏴‍☠️🎶

 

[Pete Thomas]

but she said something along the lines of "Just a tip from me, if you ever play in a care home again, make sure you don't play your last but one tune. It makes the residents think of funerals".

That was probably just overthinking because she thought of funerals. The folks there probably loved it, it's just a hymn tune and I bet they all love a good funeral anyway. My mum was looking forward to hers I think.

I hadn't heard that, I was expecting a Monk harmonisiation but it's just the bog standard choral harmony.

 

[Ghr9204]

Our penultimate tune was just a short one which I had adapted for saxophone quartet from a Thelonious Monk recording.

That tune IMHO would have been the Ballad of the Month for mid 19th Century Man.

Abide with Me > Lyrics | Henry F. Lyte

Lyrics: Henry F. Lyte

library.timelesstruths.org

The 4th stanza states,

• I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
  Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
  Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
  I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

After playing such a lovely 4 part soli harmony, I would almost anticipate a drum roll, the trombone bending a lower note, then the band breaks out in a Dixieland jazz New Orleans style in celebration.

Back in the 1990's, a well beloved retired Navajo school teacher, Florence passed away. She lost her bout (with I think) cancer. I was the organist at her funeral. Our minister gave the message at the funeral chapel and at the grave site on the Navajo Reservation nearby.

When I arrived about 30 minutes early, a seated crowd of about 50 was quietly whispering to each other daily talk. When I started playing her favourite hymns on the funeral home's old drawbar Hammond organ, then the congregated there started heavily weeping. It was so unbearable to me, that I started weeping, too!

When we arrived at the burial site a couple miles, maybe 7 miles outside Gallup (near Mentmore west of Gallup I recall, think it may have been under the Red Rock Chapter House, 30 years ago and the memory is fading), the air had such a still calmness about it. It was either Spring or Fall, I can't remember which. Calmness this time through New Mexico is a rarity.

The pastor continued his message, the ceremonially sprinkling of dirt from his palm over the casket after it had been lowered into the freshly excavated ground. Then the family members and friends were permitted to take a shovel with a scoop of dirt and cast on top the casket.

When the last scoop of ceremonial dirt had been placed and people slowly started making their way to the cars, the unusual calmness turned to the normal blowing of the wind. It was like her spirit or angel was watching over us, then departed, indeed a strange feeling.

 

[PiccoloPirate]

My bad. I forgot this number.
There are some sitting in a chair versions.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhhW6l24FzE

 

[LostCircuits]

Music of the 1950s-70s includes Weather Report, Coltrane, Gene Ammons, and Eric Clapton too. And lets’s not forget the Animals and the Monkees.

Edit: Autocorrect spelling corrected. Thanks for spotting that, Rhys.

Spill the wine... gotta be careful, they WILL do it. And then blame it on the song!

We've done House of The Rising Sun, Time of the Season. Lay Down Sally, If You Leave Me Now (I hate that song).
Hard to get some of the guitar players to do anything Coltrane, except I've done My Little Brown Book once.

Lately, we've done a bunch of Bob Seeger, Night Moves, Against The Wind, Cat Stevens (Baby It's a Wild World).

I'm still waiting for somebody calling Time after Time.

 

[rhysonsax]

That was probably just overthinking because she thought of funerals. The folks there probably loved it, it's just a hymn tune and I bet they all love a good funeral anyway. My mum was looking forward to hers I think.

I hadn't heard that, I was expecting a Monk harmonisiation but it's just the bog standard choral harmony.

It says "arranged Gigi Gryce" (what a great player) but really they might have played it from the hymn book.

Ray Copeland on the trumpet for that record date but I had never heard of him. On baritone for the quartet I play Coleman Hawkins' line (the bottom part) and it all works well.

This tune (to the words by Henry Francis Lyte) is "Eventide" by English organist William Henry Monk, which seems strangely appropriate for Thelonious Sphere Monk.

And that "One Song to a Tune of Another" makes me think of this:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/Ity436ik5cE?si=azMBUG-_ZgmK5mhA


Rhys

 

[Grumps]

The last one I played was about eight years ago and they wanted Elvis and 50's/60's pop tunes.

 

[PigSquealer]

My local “All your favorite oldies “ radio station is now playing “ All your favorite hits of the 80’s & 90’s”.
So much for listening to Doo Wop music 🙁

 

[Ghr9204]

And that "One Song to a Tune of Another" makes me think of this:

Some time back I had suggested to the pastors, our corps Salvation Army officers that I could do "Onward Christian Soldiers" to a built in Macarena styles beat on my professional arranger keyboard whilst the teens did the Macarena dance steps with me leading singing during worship services. I thought it was innovative, original, and in keeping with Salvation Army, General William Booth's style of setting Christian lyrics to tavern songs 165 years ago.

But alas it was not to be. However, we have new officers, so perhaps here's my chance again. I guess we could have the seniors in their walkers doing the Macarena dance steps, too. 😉

 

[LostCircuits]

Some time back I had suggested to the pastors, our corps Salvation Army officers that I could do "Onward Christian Soldiers" to a built in Macarena styles beat on my professional arranger keyboard whilst the teens did the Macarena dance steps with me leading singing during worship services. I thought it was innovative, original, and in keeping with Salvation Army, General William Booth's style of setting Christian lyrics to tavern songs 165 years ago.

But alas it was not to be. However, we have new officers, so perhaps here's my chance again. I guess we could have the seniors in their walkers doing the Macarena dance steps, too. 😉

Man, I like taking a song and playing it in a totally different style, I was just at a concert where they played "Ain't not Sunshine" as a reggae and it rocked, Or play some songs as a Polka, or Kazachok if you have the Russian audience there. It's the audience that makes or breaks a song, adapt or die.

 

[Colin the Bear]

The sign of a good song is that it can be played many different ways rhythmically. It used to throw the drummer when I slipped into 68 in the middle of Lulabye of birdland but I heard George do it live and couldn't resist.