The Farewell Tour Begins

Sean exits the stage

East Fishkill, NY -- Sean Adams has just come from the stage inside the theater at John Jay High School.

Dripping with sweat from another stellar performance on the alto saxophone, the 17 year-old wasn't thinking about his future.

He was only thinking about the most-recent performance.

He and his concert band at this public high school in East Fishkill, NY ripped through a three-song set of "On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss," "Patapan," and "A Christmas Festival."

"I thought we were good," he said to his father following the show. "Better than we were in rehearsal."

Adams completed the second concert of the 2019-2020 season, one that will take him from East Fishkill to parts unknown. Previous concerts have been played in Agawam, MA, Toronto, and Spotsylvania County, VA.

He speaks of the times he didn't dare use the toilet on the bus, or how rain ruined his visit to King's Dominion theme park in Virginia.

"The road is a grind," Adams said.

And thus, the Farewell Tour has begun.

At least for high school.

Having bused around the northeastern U.S., Sean Adams might be ready for a new challenge. College awaits. A job. A car.

His large gray cat, Chico.

But then, in the lobby of the theater at his high school, Adams is asked about the Farewell Tour.

Will T-shirts be necessary?

Maybe hats?

Maybe his last show can treated like The Band's "The Last Waltz?" Or a raucous free-for-all like Cream did at Royal Albert Hall? Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton, and Sean Adams?

No, says this musical hero.

"I don't know," he says. "I'd kind of like to keep playing."

Just like all farewell tours.

P.S. A few liberties were taken here. For one thing, Sean didn't break a sweat. For another, he likes the road. Plus, both Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker are dead and I don't think a saxophone was ever their bag, man.