“Joe Henderson with Ron Carter and Al Foster at the Vanguard was just wow. And the energy of the three of them.” Quote by Jon Gordon
“Barry Harris had a club called Jazz Cultural Theater and there were sessions there on a regular basis. I remember being there and sitting in with [Charles] McPherson and Barry being there, and just smiling at me. He didn't talk to me much at the time, he just came up and gave me a smile, which meant a lot. I've since gotten to know him and been around him a little bit.” KnowsLittlesRememberBitsLittle BitSittingBasesTheaterJazzClubsSessionBeing ThereTalk To Me Author:Jon Gordon
“[Charles McPherson] was kind enough to go to a record gig of mine where we recorded a song of his.” KindEnoughSongRecordsMinesGigs Author:Jon Gordon
“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.” ThinkingTeenagerTalk To Me Author:Jon Gordon
“I got to talk to people like Mel [Lewis] and Milt Hilton and Benny Carter and Clark Terry and... Jay McShann. I just found myself in some circumstances, on some gigs or sometimes in clubs, with the ability to talk to some of these people. Just being around their energy and being around that history was invaluable. And what I normally say to young people that are getting into the music, if you can and go... now there's less of those folks around, sadly.” PeopleIfsSometimesYoungFoundEnergyAbilityCircumstancesFolksClubsJust BeingGigsCarterInvaluable Author:Jon Gordon
“Connection to the music and the history was very powerful to me. I think that's what I feel the most blessed about.” ThinkingFeelsPowerfulConnectionsBlessedVery Powerful Author:Jon Gordon
“What I feel the most confident about as a teacher, whatever my strengths and weaknesses are. The fact that I got to be around those people, I feel like that I have something to offer because of that blessing. Being around them a little bit... I'm not them. I'm certainly not trying to compare myself to them. But in lieu of them being able to impart something, the fact that I had so many people like that that were kind to me and talked to me was invaluable.” PeopleFeelsTryingKindLittlesFactsAbleBitsTeacherBlessingOffersLittle BitWeaknessCompareImpartInvaluableStrength And Weakness Author:Jon Gordon
“I had pestered [Phil Wood] for a long time. He finally agreed to do it. And I was excited and nervous and he couldn't have been nicer or more supportive from the minute I got to his house.” LongHas BeensHouseMinutesLong TimeExcitedWoodsNervousSupportive Author:Jon Gordon
“Phil [Wood] was known for having a little bit of a gruff manner, but he was all heart.” HeartLittlesBitsKnownLittle BitWoods Author:Jon Gordon
“I think [Phil Wood] didn't suffer fools gladly, but he loved supporting young people that loved the music.” PeopleThinkingYoungSufferingFoolWoods Author:Jon Gordon
“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.” ThinkingHas BeensSaidLastsNightLessonsThirdsDiedWoodsStationsAlsBusOne TimeFourthMentorHeartbrokenLast NightAll NightJohnsonBudKimUp All NightSims Author:Jon Gordon