Tom Harrell overcomes schizophrenia with Jazz trumpet.

[sweets]

Tom Harrell is another one of my favorite Jazz trumpet players. It always amazes me how Tom Harrell is schizophrenic, yet sounds so awesome on the trumpet. His schizophrenia just brings Tom Harrell to a whole new level of Jazz music. What do you think? Anyway, you got to check out this CBS interview with Tom Harrell to see what I'm talking about.

CBS Tom Harrell interview (in English)

[coolman]

Man, I didn't know Tom Harrell suffered from that. 

[Secco]

I heard Tom play with a group in San Francisco in the 80's.  During a break I ran into him on the way to the restroom.  I told him how much I enjoyed  and admired his playing.  He couldn't make eye contact, but stammered out a brief "thank you" and seemed very uncomfortable at having to interact.  On stage, he would blow the most amazing solos, and when done would take a step back, lower his horn and his head, and stand there perfectly still, like a tree, until it was time for him to come in again.  By the way, I heard some years back he had a pneumothorax, leaving him with only one functioning lung.