In those days, the only people listed on the album were the rhythm section guys. For a year or more (after recording the flugelhorn solo on Paul McCartney’s Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey), I was the most famous unknown trumpet player in the world.
As much as I love Thad Jones, he did everything right except leaving the band in a healthy way.
When the band was playing, Thad was happy. He made the music. The music came out of him.
You studied music, I studied the history of interesting releases for lead trumpet players.
To this day, I don’t know why Thad took a chance on me. He didn’t know me from Adam!
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.
