Finding your voice — at any age

It’s hard for jazz artist Paul Jost to remember a time in his life when he wasn’t a musician. The Vineland, New Jersey native started playing piano at 6 and then turned to the drums, and was playing professionally by age 12.

During a successful career that has spanned more than 50 years, Jost has written more than 400 songs, played drums, harmonica and guitar on dozens of albums. He’s taught music to students ranging from elementary school to college.

Jost’s love of music always included singing. But it wasn’t until around 2011 that he decided to focus on singing professionally.

He released his first solo CD, as a singer, in 2014. Recently he was commissioned to re-imagine Bruce Springsteen’s iconic album, “Born to Run” as a live, vocal, jazz performance for the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May, N.J.

Jost says when older people tell him they have always wanted to sing, he encourages them.

“I always say do it! If you don’t do it now, what are you waiting for?”

Watch Friday Arts on Friday, October 6th at 8:30pm to see the full segment on Paul Jost. The show also includes segments about the Rodale Institute’s research into organic farming and composer, candle maker and NASA researcher, Ben Warfield.