Old Jewish Trumpeters Never Die, They Just Move to South Florida

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Bret Primack has posted hundreds of short films about Jazz musicians on his JazzVideoGuy YouTube channel the past seven years. Now he has a story to tell that needs a larger canvas. His new film, "Pauly Cohen, Trumpeter, " is a one-hour documentary about a soon-to-be ninety-year-old trumpeter named Pauly Cohen, still following his big band dream. "I've already shot about fifteen hours of footage, " Bret reveals, "and now I'm trying raise $6, 000 to complete the film, using Kickstarter."
But just who is Pauly Cohen?

Pauly Cohen is a Jazz elder who graduated from Lincoln High School in Brooklyn and within a few years, was working as a big band lead trumpeter with Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw and Charlie Barnet. His credits include hundreds of recording sessions, TV and Radio programs, and many many years on the road.

An early mentor and friend was Dizzy Gillespie, dating back to the mid-40s, when they were both in the trumpet section of the Earl Hines Big Band that also included Charlie Parker. Pauly reached a creative peak in the 70s when he played lead trumpet with Count Basie.

When Pauly moved to South Florida in his early 80s, he didn't retire. Instead, he formed his own group populated by other big band veterans, which he continues to lead today, on the eve of his 90th birthday.

"Pauly's story is not just for music fans, " Bret explains. "It has a more universal appeal because it's about something everyone experiences: aging. Most people lead a less active life after the age of seventy. But rather than stay home and watch big band tributes on PBS, Pauly Cohen charges forward, focused solely on the music he's playing today with his own band."

'This film is about a man about to turn ninety, still actively pursuing his big band dream at a time in life when those who have survived the ravages of old age are most likely retired and lined up for an early dinner. Thankfully, there is a man of action like Pauly Cohen, to remind us that we can continue to do what we love, long past forced retirement."

Please visit the Kickstarter Project page for Pauly Cohen, Trumpeter, for more info and to contribute.

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