I loved Art Tatum! And, through him, and other different jazz musicians, I actually found my technique.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Charlie Parker is my greatest inspiration as a saxophone player - anything that involves him entails a large amount of respect.
I got my love of jazz from my stepfather, who was a jazz musician.
At a certain point, I became a kind of musician that has tunnel vision about jazz. I only listened to jazz and classical music.
Jazz was more of a tool for me to use to enhance my musicality.
I always felt of myself as a composer, performer, improviser. I've never called myself a jazz man. I make art.
My main influences have always been the classic jazz players who sang, like Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole and Jack Teagarden.
I find as much inspiration from the forerunners of jazz as I do the modern-day innovators of jazz.
I was totally into jazz in my teens.
I've always loved jazz.
I cut myself off from the mainstream of jazz. It stood me in good stead later on, as a musician.