I was in choir [at school].

If you think your best days are behind you, they are. If you think your best days are ahead of you, they are.

I never got discouraged for long, but we all got our butts kicked musically.

A tenor player named Bud Revels there at the time. A lot of really nice associations amongst the students. Garry Dial was a returning student. He actually got me on Red Rodney's band subbing a little bit. I gigged some with Red when I was 21 in 1988. So I had a lot of nice associations that came from [ Laguardia School of Arts]. But a lot of my education was going on in the clubs. Hearing music and sitting in.

Leadership is not just about what you do but what you can inspire, encourage and empower others to do.

Every person and every team will be tested on their journey. It is part of the curriculum of life. It's just like riding a bicycle. In the beginning you're going to fall off and get knocked down but the important thing is to get back on, stay strong, and after a while once you master it you'll ride with the confidence of a champion.

Don't waste your energy on those who don't get on your bus.