it seems interesting that people usually played around with a number of instruments until settling on one, or two, i did that too; flute, mandolin, guitar, keyboard, violin, i loved bongos, and ANYTHING that made a note, now i like anything that makes a sound, now settled on guitar and keyboard and computer sequencing.

the orchestra, yes i would agreer with that; very dedicated to be there, very hard, many hours of dedication and yes, the musos are second to none, but glad you mentioned the big bands, duke Ellington, dizzy, miles, and even marhvishnu orcestra was a big band of sorts in the early seventies, and Zappa, well you couldn't have got a more crazy orchestra than that (in the early 70s)

i always believed the best muso was the happiest one, a guy happy playing three chords is a better muso than a guy who knows all the triads, chords, cadences, etc but hates it, jaded from the industry and lost the passion and the beauty of playing music.

i like the 'i am not very famous on SM'..?? i didn't realise any of us were lol