After spending 40 years in prison and mental health institutions for non-violent drug offenses, Ed Reed finally figured out that self-love was the key to self-awareness. In 1986, he began his music career as a jazz vocalist--and astoundingly, at age 86, he was voted "No. 1 rising star" in the male jazz vocalist category by online jazz critics.
Ed Reed is a retired health educator who developed a lecture series on “The Art and Practice of Living Well.” He was a heroin addict for 40 years, imprisoned four times and in dozens of treatment programs before he got into recovery. Eight years ago, he released his first jazz vocal CD, followed by three more CDs, and at 86 was voted by online jazz critics as No. 1 Rising Star in the male vocalist category.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx