Marc Maron welcomes Elliott Caine, a jazz trumpeter and optometrist, to discuss his parallel tracks in life. They explore the choices between stability and passion, reflect on family dynamics during Thanksgiving, and delve into their musical upbringings, including experiences with discrimination and political involvement. The chapter also touches on the challenges faced as a musician and the impact of 1988 in rap and hip-hop.
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Quick takeaways
Dr. Elliot Caine pursued a parallel career as an optometrist while fulfilling his passion for jazz music.
Highland Park in the 1970s was a vibrant and diverse community that shaped Dr. Caine's musical journey.
Dr. Caine's love for jazz music, influenced by his favorite artists, led him to form his own jazz group and engage in activism against gentrification.
Deep dives
Pursuing a Career in Music
After college, the speaker decided to pursue a career in music as a jazz trumpeter. He played gigs in Indiana and attended jazz festivals to see his favorite musicians like Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan perform. While his parents initially had concerns about his choice, they eventually supported him and bragged about his musical talent to their friends.
Optometry School and Moving to California
The speaker attended optometry school at Indiana University and graduated with a degree in optometry. He moved to California in 1976, settling in Highland Park. Initially living in a back house, he practiced trumpet and played gigs in the local music scene.
Life in Highland Park
The speaker described Highland Park as a different world in the 1970s, with a predominantly Latino and artistic community. He rented different houses, had interesting neighbors, and continued to practice his trumpet and play gigs in the Los Angeles area.
Political and Personal Radicalization
The speaker discusses his journey of political and personal radicalization, starting from his college days where he delved into reading revolutionary figures like Lee and Trotsky. He also explores his interest in African American history and Jewish history, finding parallels between them. The speaker reflects on the assassinations of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., which further fueled his skepticism towards the system.
Jazz Music as a Lifelong Passion
The speaker expresses his love for jazz music and how it became a central part of his life. He shares his experiences of watching jazz performances by artists like David Baker and buying records by Miles Davis and Lee Morgan. The speaker recalls his involvement in the jazz scene, playing with R&B and Latin bands, and eventually forming his own jazz group. He also discusses the impact of gentrification on the neighborhood and his activism against it.
When Marc was living in Highland Park, he found out something interesting about his neighborhood optometrist. Not only was this man an eye doctor, he was an accomplished jazz trumpeter. Marc welcomes Dr. Elliott Caine to the garage to find out how a Midwestern Jewish kid stayed on parallel tracks throughout his life, one fulfilling a career pursuit, one fulfilling his musical passion. Also, Marc delivers his annual Thanksgiving pep talk from Florida.