When you communicate. . . make it easy for someone to call you for a gig.
We played Symphony Hall in Kawasaki and there were 1,100 or 1,200 people there to see a trombone quartet. It was an amazing experience!
Playing with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra is definitely one of the highlights of my life.
They say it ain’t like it used to be, well . . . when was it like it used to be? It never was like it used to be!
Homogenous sounding orchestras are actually going to be the death of the orchestras. I would rather hear someone have a psychotic event during a concert.
Someone asked David Baker in an improv class if he thought any of us would make it in New York. David answered . . . make it in New York? Just find a way to stay in New York.
Musically, playing with Frank Sinatra might still be the highlight of my life.
Woody Shaw was an intense person and that’s why his music had that intensity. He believed in what he believed in and wasn’t scared to say it. He was 100% focused!
