I understood that if I wanted to work, the saxophone was the main instrument. The clarinet was what we call a double.

I understood that if I wanted to work, the saxophone was the main instrument. The clarinet was what we call a double.

We all learn from each other, and I never really hung out with guys in that way, so I missed out.

After playing now for 60 years, it's still very challenging for me to play a simple melody and have it clean and touch the reed at the proper time in the proper way.

Benny Goodman was one of the big influences as a clarinet player. That's why I wanted the clarinet.

I just completed a tour in Europe. I played every night. This requires traveling some days for six hours in a van or a train or a car. After six weeks of that, I checked into the hotel and just fell apart.

Names and theoretical things don't occur to me. If they do, I'm not doing my real playing mode.