Ben Webster
There are four guys that I've always listened to and admired and have great respect for. I think they're just about the greatest for what they're doing. That's Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges and Hilton Jefferson. Jeff sounds beautiful. The way he treats a note - he plays so pretty.
Like every other place, I guess, Kansas City was quite a different city when I was a youngster there. They had quite a few clubs, and we had what we used to call jam sessions every night.
I like to play things that people understand, or maybe tunes that they could recognise. And so -I play for the people, just as much as for myself. Because, as I say, I still like to play.
I don't listen to my own records a lot. Once in a while - to check out my mistakes. Because you can always see a spot or two in the record where you could have done better. So you more or less study this way.
As for listening to other recordings - that's just about all that I do. I listen to everyone. First thing when I wake up, I turn my set on.