You left Blood Sweat and Tears just before the group achieved mega-stardom. Did you think there was going to be an easier way to win six Grammys?
(Laughs) In retrospect it was the right decision.
When a song you played on comes on the radio such as Todd Rundgren’s “Hello It’s Me,” or Paul Simon’s “Late in the Evening,” what is your experience?
I flashback just like everyone does, to when you first heard the music. It’s the same if you were a part of it. I flashback to the recording session.
What makes music great regardless of the genre?
I think intent, honesty, originality and passion are four words that come to mind.
You have made amazing music with your brother Michael, your wife Ada (saxophonist) and your daughter Amanda (singer). What dynamic does family bring to the mix?
Music and family with me has always been almost interchangeable…It’s a certain connection that makes it even closer. Sure it’s great just to play with great musicians, but to have it be part of your family, where you can just talk about what you are going to do over dinner and being that close is great.
You appeared at the 2016 Coltrane Day Celebration in Huntington with pianist John Ambrosini. Why is it so important to preserve Coltrane’s legacy?
He was one of, if not the greatest artist of the last century…It goes far beyond his technical accomplishments and even his melodic accomplishments…His music was so spiritually based.
Has it ever felt surreal to be performing and within your gaze you see someone like a Stevie Wonder or a Frank Sinatra?
I think musicians are fans like everyone else. I was with Stevie for several months and got to know him pretty well…He spent most of his waking hours just working on the tunes.
What allowed you to excel in so many different styles?
It’s a product of my early environment. I was in the right place at the right time. Philly was a veritable melting pot of different styles of music.
Can you tell us about the show that you, Ada and the NYU Jazz Orchestra are doing at the Blue Note?
They have a very good jazz program (NYU). We’ll do tunes I wrote and others by my brother and some new ones by Ada…It’s fun to stand in front of a really good big band…It should be a really good show.