Because I came to Chicago, I didn't have to go on the road - the road came to me. Everyone came through Chicago or lived here, so I was working with (James) Moody, Dexter (Gordon), Gene Ammons, Roy Eldridge, Johnny Griffin, Johnny Hartman, Art Pepper, Max Roach, you name it. It was terrific for me, because I could play with the greats at night but still stay in town and have a chance to raise my family. [commenting on why he never moved to New York or Los Angeles]