Jeff Golub, the ace guitarist who is a regular at the P&G Bar in New York City, announced on his web site that he has gone blind. At the same time, Jeff said, he was working with Henry Butler, the blind New Orleans piano player and blues singer, who also plays regularly at the P&G.
I’ll let Jeff tell the story in his own words:
“While recording the record (“The Three Kings”) I started having a little trouble with my right eye. I tried to ignore it, but the condition worsened. Oddly enough, I was working with Henry, who coincidentally is blind. After the recording and trips to several of NY's top eye specialists, I was diagnosed with a collapse of the optic nerve in my right eye. It is just some random thing that can happen to people...no real reason why or real cause...just a curve ball life throws at you sometimes.”
Then, soon after, the other shoe drops:
“Last week my 'good eye' started getting a little wacky and unfortunately, as of this past Monday, 6/27, it appears to be following the same path that the right eye did. OK, not what I wished for, but I hopped in a van last night with Henry, Josh & Andy and played a gig in PA.
"Was it scary? YES!!!! Was it fun? A BLAST!!!! I have proven to myself three days into 'my new life' that I can go out and do what I do...play guitar. And even stranger, getting to spend all this time with Henry Butler who can give me the inside track on how the heck one navigates life with severely impaired vision...Just wanted to let you all know what is going on with me. I may need a bit of time to adjust, but God willing, I have every intention of playing guitar forever and a day.”
What a remarkable story! Jeff, 56, is one of nicest guys and finest guitar players in the business. These days, he is a contemporary jazz guitarist, playing with “Avenue Blue,” but was a longtime sideman for acts like Rod Stewart (guitarist from 1988 to 1995) and Billy Squier.
We wish Jeff the very best as he tries to adjust to the obstacles ahead.
Henry Butler at the P&G. Both photographs by Frank Beacham