ecarroll

TMers,

Comments, anyone?

Wilmer, I'm particularly interested in your take as we were once a trumpet section in Brooklyn -- you, Hank, and I.

Yikes,
EC

NEW YORK (AP) — The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit claiming that the American Ballet Theatre fired a musician because of his age.

The lawsuit says trumpet player Henry Nowak was fired in September 2005, when he was 74. The agency said it filed its lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

The plaintiff is listed as the Ballet Theatre Foundation, also known as the American Ballet Theatre, American Ballet Theatre Company and ABT.

A spokeswoman for the ballet did not immediately return a call for comment.

wiseone2

I sent Hank a copy, I can't wait to see HIS reaction.
Casals was darn near 100 when we recorded the Bach Suites. Stokie was in his nineties when I played on some American Symphony Orchestra recordings. Mieczyslaw Horszowski at 100, was walking five miles from his hotel to Marlboro to make rehearsals.
I guess trumpet players just can't hang...........
Wilmer

Ray Vega

Dear Ed, Wilmer and the TM's,
My jaw dropped today when I heard on News Radio WINS that Hank Nowak was in the middle of a lawsuit of this nature. After the initial shock, I quickly reminded myself that we do live in a society that worships youth and discards anything that is not "The Flavor of The Month".
Let's not forget the mess that Jazz at Lincoln Center got into when they decided to fire the older players from the original band. It was quite embaressing for all of the parties involved in making that decision.

Henry Nowak has been a friend and mentor to me for the last 24 years. He's a marvelous player, teacher and human being. I'll stand behind Hank all the way!
Peace-RV

Bear

Yeah, it's sad to say that people want the younger ones who will follow orders and take what's given to them without question. We are all becoming slaves to our captialist system! It's all about the money man. It sucks.

All of the gigs I've had have been with older folks. And man, I LOVE playing with the older generations as they have SOOOO much to share with us "young guns". Our world is coming to a sad state.

Fluffy615

Hey Bear,
I agree with your sentiment, except we're already in a sad state!
I hope that I can still pick up my horn at 74, let alone play it. I too have played a lot of gigs with older musicians over the years. They really are fun to hang with and learn from. I'm approaching the time now at 47 where I might be considered one of the older guys!
Good luck to Mr.Nowak

Bob

Schwab

How old was Bud when he retired? Early 70's? He still sounded fantastic, I heard a few concerts near the end of his career. Age shouldn't be a deciding factor in ending employment.

I believe the airline pilots have a mandatory retirement age, that is one place where I would want experience over youth for sure!

ROGERIO

I can not accept that Mr. Nowak was officially fired for being old...

There are a lot of stupid people in the corporate world today, but I can't imagine that they did not CYA (cover your...) on this.

No disrespect, but none of us are getting any younger...

Ed or Wilmer... is there anymore detail information on this before we jump to conclussions? Several people were mentioned playing / conducting well into their old age and showing no weaknesses. But we aren't all built the same are we?

Like I said, no disrespect intended. Blanket statements from the press tend to leave much of the facts hidden...

ecarroll

Dylan,

Bud was 80 when he retired.

Rog,

I simply noticed the note in the Associated Press and have no further knowledge. It's been ages since HN & EC crossed paths (perhaps last in Hong Kong or Shangai?)

Best,
EC

rowuk

Here is the original article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/06/ar...,%20Daniel%20J.

There seems to be no follow up press.

Unlimited terms of employment is a sensitive issue, on the one side, we do not want to toss out decades of experience, on the other hand, we have a lot of qualified but unemployed musicians. If a proper pension plan is in place, at least there is no financial suffering. I am torn between the two sides and believe there is no 100% just call either way.
I consider it advantageous when people in general plan their retirements. It is a new era in anyones life, hopefully with new and fulfilling activities!