I must state that there are good and bad types of music within every genre of music. My main sources of playing and self development are through the Jazz and blues idioms. My intent is to focus on mastery of myself through the music as opposed to mastering the music.

I've found that to achieve individual greatness there is no shortcut.

However, there are more effective ways to achieve anything in life. I think that being surrounded by winners instead of losers is a start. Unfortunately, it is often impossible. The winners are truly self confident and humble at the same time. The losers tend to be over confident and arrogant.

While hanging with certainly one of the most individualistic players of all time, George Benson, I found him to be non arrogant and humble as well as self confident. The man is very spiritual and forthright when he is comfortable with you. He knew that in order for me to be introduced through a musician friend whom he's known since age 18, I was cool. I can guarantee that George is no fool in any sense. Some people think he might have sold out on some viewpoints: Forget it!

Hopefully, this is an insider's view of true greatness. The academic snobs could stand to be taught some things by this man and those others who haven't been mis-educated. By the way, not bad for a man who is worth millions and who has a GED. Dr. Bill Cosby too! Bill used to hang out to hear John Coltrane with his to-be wife.

Keep plucking those "soul" strings as well.

Mark Mosley