A similar path for me........
When I turned 35 (leading my own GB band) I saw the writing-on-the-wall that I was aging-out of what I did (sax player in a wedding/club band, occasional pro-shows).
[What 25y/o bride wants a grey-haired sax player in her wedding band? Ans: none of them do....]
At that point I went back to my classical roots (classical muso in college), started a trio ensemble, auditioned successfully for a local orchestra (which 10 years ago went AFM), and have since concentrated my playing on the ceremony/'tails circuit around Newport, RI.
At 60+ it seems that getting older is good for booking my ensemble as the young brides think that they are talking to Mozart or something - lol.
My ensemble gigs are usually two hours; a usual 4-6: (4-4:30 prelude, 4:30-5 ceremony, 15 minute break, 5:15-6 'tails, 6:10 driving home....). Nobody busts our chops with requests, we just play our baroque, look (and sound) polished, rinse/repeat. Creativity-wise it's rather sterile but the $ is great - although I miss my sax at times..... Every once in a while I'll go to a jam and make some noise just to stay in the game...