I never really had a classical saxophone set-up. I just had a middle of the road set up.

Only through service and sacrifice can you become great.

I got to talk to Mel Lewis a lot as a teenager. I think that's what really impacted me the most around that time.

One time, I think it was my third lesson third or fourth lesson. Kim Parker and he picked me up at the bus station. And she just said, "Phil [Wood] has been up all night. He's heartbroken. Bud Johnson died last night." And Bud Johnson, like Zoot [Sims] and Al [Cohn] had been mentors to him.

Love the process and you’ll love what the process produces.

I remember [Joe] Lovano came around to me at that time [of Monk competition]. And I had taken some lessons with Joe and I had seen Joe on the scene. He had always been so great to me, such and inspiration and so kind. One lesson that I had with Joe was just amazing. I'm just such a fan and an admirer of his on every level. He was like, "Don't worry... you're just out here. You just do what you're doing. Don't worry if it doesn't make you a household name or anything."

A true leader doesn't lead to gain power. They lead to empower and give power away.