I think that's important to remember - That we're blessed to even be able to attempt to do this [music].

Everyone wants to do what the great ones do; but very few are willing to do what they did to become great

I never got to play with Art [ Blakey], but he was kind and spoke to me a number of times. He said, "You know, the people who are working 40 hours a week. Those are the ones who are really paying dues. Sitting at a desk doing the same thing every day. We're really blessed to do what we do."

I didn't always have time to practice as much as I wanted to do, that was a real problem for me in high school and college.

I think we had a Ben Webster/Gerry Mulligan record... that might have been it. We only had a few records in the house.

I don't know that there was a moment, like one specific moment where I was like "Ugh. Now what do I do?" I was just always like, "I'm just in here and if I have to fight with myself or ask for help or just be lost for a little while, but I'm just going to keep looking." Because music was all I had.

You're not going to have any pension or health care from those $60 nights at you name the club. But I think you do this because you have to do it. You pursue any art form because you need it. Because you love it.