[Sweets Edison] was one of the greatest stylists in Jazz of all time. And on top of that, when you listen to him, you say 'yes, that's Sweets' and you automatically smile. This is really unique. He changed the way how to play this instrument.

Count Basie was college, but Duke Ellington was graduate school.

Well, I'm too old to pimp, and too young to die, so I'm just gonna keep playin'

I believe that regardless of how many people you've listened to or emulated over the years, your sound is you and what you really feel inside.

Imitate, assimilate, and innovate.

Your sound is you & what you really feel inside.

I was very thrilled to witness the workby my ol' buddy Jim Widner whose expertise in the field of jazz education proved invaluable in putting this masterful CD (Yesterdays & Today) together.