You can reinvent yourself: seven musicians who created new careers in music

I have a great admiration for musicians who keep their careers alive by transitioning from one area of the music world to another. Whether through the necessity of adversity or a conscious decision to move on, these seven musicians are inspiring to me. Let’s examine how these musicians reinvented their careers.

John Williams

Known worldwide as one of the premiere composers of film scores, John Williams began his career as a jazz pianist, trombonist, and session musician. His work as an orchestrator for other Hollywood composers opened the door to becoming the prolific film composer whose music we know today.

Gustav Holst

Gustav Holst trained as a pianist and composer. He longed to make his mark as a composer but partly earned his living as a trombonist until his later success as the composer of The Planets. His large output also includes works for symphony orchestra, operas, ballets, works for band, chamber music, solo voice, and chorus.

Brian Eno

Brian Eno first came to prominence as the synth player for the UK band Roxy Music. He left the band and became a sought after producer for bands like Talking Heads and U2. His influence spread widely after recording albums, such as Ambient 1: Music for Airports, in a style came to be known as “ambient music.” His continuing output includes sound installations, ringtones and game music.

André Previn

First known as a jazz pianist and Oscar-winning composer of film scores such as Gigi, André Previn made the unusual transition to become a symphony orchestra conductor, leading both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Pittsburgh Symphony as Music Director.

Plácido Domingo

Plácido Domingo is a beloved operatic tenor who sang for most of the world’s major opera companies. His fame spread with his collaboration in The Three Tenors (with Luciano Pavarotti and José Carreras) and his crossover performances and recordings with such popular musicians as John Denver and Julie Andrews. He took on the roles of opera conductor and administrator with the Washington National Opera and the Los Angeles Opera.

Closer to home

In my own circle, I am inspired by Michael Lake, who trained as a musician, spent several decades in the business world, and returned to music as a jazz alto trombonist, entrepreneur, and creator of digital courses to teach other jazz musicians how to be better improvisers. Another inspiration for me is Barry Black, who had a career as a high school jazz band teacher and now devotes his time to composing and arranging music suitable for high school musicians.

The ability to reinvent oneself in the music world is a testament to resilience, creativity, and a deep passion for the art form. These musicians remind us that a career in music is not a linear path but an evolving journey. Their stories inspire us to embrace change, face challenges with courage, and explore new possibilities, proving that reinvention is not just about survival—it’s about thriving in the ever-changing landscape of music.