I was really just being dramatic about the "throw in the towel" thing. I actually find him inspiring.
The thing that knocks me out is that he's far from just the usual child prodigy chops. He's the total professional package.
Whether you care for the style of music or not (and I happen to), you're witnessing:
a) Supportive ensemble playing (see the other videos too). The roots are solidly there exactly when they need to be. He's loose and fairly busy, but he doesn't get in the way.
b) His time and feel and tone are all excellent.
c) When he solos, he doesn't just impress with a lot of chops. It's evident that he understands the harmony and stacked chord extensions very well and very intuitively.
It's also evident that he likes this kind of music, and listens to it a lot. He knows exactly what kind of soloing is appropriate.
d) He's not sweating in the least. He's in his element. And he's enjoying himself.
Watching some precocious young players is a bit like watching trained bears play soccer. You don't watch because they're displaying a high ideal of athleticism, you watch because it's amazing they can do it at all.
Not so with this young guy. I'd watch with pleasure even if he was 50.
