Who were your earliest influences as a lead player before you turned thirty?
Steve Wilson: Some of my teachers introduced me to Johnny Hodges and Marshall Royal. They became a reference for me during my first year in college. Around the same time I became aware of Jerome Richardson and Jerry Dodgion’s work in the Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis Orchestra.
I moved to New York at the age of 26 and had a chance to perform with Dick Oatts and Jerry Dodgion in the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. They were a big influence on me and I continue to learn from them. They both lead by example.
In 1983 I met Kenny Garrett when he was playing the lead chair in the road show of Sophisticated Ladies. They came through Virginia and I played with him. I hung out with him at his hotel. We would go to the basement to jam and he was playing all these out notes. But he was a total, professional musician. I remember seeing him do long tones and exercises; practicing fundamentals. I thought, “Ah, he’s getting his foundation together…” It showed me that you’ve got to be on top of things even when you’re on the road and that he is a serious musician who is not just about improvising solos. It’s about learning the instrument. Kids are always surprised to hear that Kenny Garrett plays long tones and exercises.