- What musicians, from 1900 onwards, would constitute your “dream band”?
My “dream band” would be the John Coltrane Quintet, which Trane had as his working band for some months in the early 1960s when Eric Dolphy was in the group. With respect I would’ve been more than happy substituting for Eric. Trane’s group swung like hell, incorporated the most sophisticated harmonies of the century along with more than a few memorable melodies. But beyond the musical elements the group also hit the spiritual mother lode of what great art is about besides virtuosity…energy, beauty, depth of feeling and most of all complete honesty and sincerity.
- What is one of the most memorable musical events of your career so far?
There are two equally important concerts for me. With my first group as a leader (“Lookout Farm”) that I put together after several years apprenticing with Elvin Jones and Miles Davis we had just finished a tour of Japan and landed in Calcutta, India for American government sponsored concerts in eight cities. Getting out of the airport driving to the hotel, I noticed trucks stopping and going, a pungent odor and candles in tents on the streets, I was informed by the government rep that the trucks picked up dead bodies on a nightly basis. The whole band was quite shell shocked when we met the next day and began our activities. When we finally hit the stage that night, the vibrations from the people as well as our emotions were overwhelming.
The other event was a concert in 1987 celebrating Coltrane’s passing with Wayne Shorter, Jack DeJohnette, Eddie Gomez and Richie Beirach. When we began the duet portion of the program (“After The Rain” and “Naima”) with the audience cheering, the spotlight on Richie and myself, a giant picture of Trane in back of us, playing with my best friend and a band of idols/friends remembering Coltrane, I thought to myself this is the Mount Everest of my life….it doesn’t get better.
- What is your wish for the twenty-first century?
The words might be a bit corny but peace and love, coupled with respect for cultural differences alongside a feeling of empathy for the downtrodden is what I would hope for.
