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.

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

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.

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