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 a graduate of the university of [Art] Blakey yourself, aren’t you? I guess you must have been pretty young when they met you – in your early twenties maybe?”

A; “Yeah, I joined them. I was 24 when I joined. And I've was with him until ... 4-1/2 years, I was with them. Like I got out in '81, but it was really great to know that ... you know, if you were playing a certain composition every night and you get to this certain bar and the piano player is hitting his change, after about the third night, if you don't get it, you know, you can go over and say, "Oh, man, what's that you're playing?" So this helps you get more intuitive music and also learn more about your instrument and your style, you know. And find out what your strengths are and by asking these questions of the guys around you, you might hear them playing that, "And what was that?" And if you're open to learning, a band is probably the best way to put your style together the quickest, you know.”