I went in [Sweet Basil band] and played with them, maybe half the gig for almost eight years or more.

Successful people do ordinary things with extraordinary consistency, commitment and focus.

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

[Phil wood] put on some [Igor] Stravinsky and say to follow the score, tell me to play me the opening to the Rite of Spring. Or, "I'm going to play you some 20th century obscure classical composer you don't know". Or, "Let's listen to some Charles Ives, let's sight read some Bartok violin duets", etc.

Hearing Phil [wood] a lot, those few years especially when I was going to hear music and Tom Harrell was in the band. Man that was incredible. Hearing Tom at that period, and hearing Phil in that period, and also [Charles] McPherson. Those three guys were very impactful. Very inspiring to me at the time.

The secret to life and the greatest success strategy of all is to love all of it and fear none of it.

Remember, you have only one ride through life so give it all you got and enjoy the ride.