Bobby Watson discusses his time with Art Blakey

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Bobby Watson discusses his early musical influences

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Bobby Watson talks about growing up in Kansas City

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Q: “You’re from Kansas City, Kansas – across the river, right? You’re not Kansas City, Missouri but it’s the same thing when you go over the bridge I guess and you’re still walking around where Bird and Basie and Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young and all of those people were. Is the air somehow different for music in Kansas City?”

A: Bobby Watson: “I think it's the church influence, really. “

Interviewer: “What's that? Yeah?”

Bobby Watson: “Yeah, because Byrd, you know, he had to go to church, too, you know, and he was actually born in Kansas City, Kansas. His house is in Kansas City, Kansas where he lived.”

Interviewer: “I didn't realize that.”

Bobby Watson: “But it's all one, you know. So you know, I just say Kansas City.”

Interviewer: “Yeah.”

Bobby Watson: “And he probably did, too. He probably don't want to say Kansas City, Kansas, either, you know.”