It is well known that the greatest jazz innovators historically suffered mood disorders such as dysthymic disorder, cyclothymic disorder, schizophrenia, mood disorders related to sickle cell anemia, and substance-induced psychotic disorder. In today’s economy, jazz musicians are no stranger to anxiety and depression. While practicing a music that is no longer mainstream, albeit satisfying, improvisers face an exhausting psychological task of securing musical work income within and outside of jazz to survive, subjecting themselves to social and identity discrimination in their own beloved communities and backyards. Here is an analysis of current research on health and wellbeing for musicians, indicating a need to further close the gap of current psychological research.
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