Neurological problems of jazz legends
Many great jazz musicians have faced neurological issues throughout their careers. Cole Porter, for example, remained incredibly productive despite severe leg injuries from an equestrian accident, but ultimately passed away due to osteomyelitis, amputations, depression, and phantom limb pain. George Gershwin struggled with uncinate seizures and a personality change, and ultimately herniated from a benign brain tumor. Thelonious Monk's erratic moods were reflected in his music, and he ultimately passed away from cerebrovascular events. Charlie Parker struggled with mood lability and drug dependence, ultimately living as hard as he played his famous saxophone lines. Charles Mingus hummed his final compositions into a tape recorder as he died of motor neuron disease. Bud Powell suffered from severe posttraumatic headaches after being struck by a police stick while defending Thelonious Monk during a raid on a Harlem club. These musicians have all left their mark on the jazz genre, despite the challenges they faced.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0883073809332765
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