Joe Henderson, who I maybe, to me, if I had to pick one improviser in my life that I saw live that blew my mind most, especially as a teenager.

I asked all through third, fourth and fifth grade, when they were asking kids to be in the band, to be in the school band. But they wouldn't let me do it.

The first jazz cruise that I was on was '91. I played with Maria Schneider and John Fedchock's band. Got to meet some amazing people that week.

I love to see people recognized [me on scene].

When you experience resistance, you find the lessons that you are meant to learn

Hearing Sonny Rollins live... that was really amazing. There were so many things that really blew me away at that time [of schooling].

Things dribbled in in dribs and drabs through my 20s. But it was a struggle.