My family was a Christian family. But I had to get to Kansas to play the blues.

I had listened to Joe Turner. When they'd book Joe there, I'd play the blues behind him.

They said Bird played bebop, but Bird could still swing. I've heard a lot of guys play bebop, but they wasn't swinging.

We had an old Victrola with the old bulldog they used to have there. The horn would come out.

My family was a Christian family. But I had to get to Kansas to play the blues.

It was my first time in Kansas City. In about two or three days I had a gig at a place called The Monroe Inn.

I was listening to all those lyrics and trying to take in everything that was happening. I was completely excited. It was one of the greatest times that I had listening to music.