Competition Quote by Jon Gordon
![“I was [ on Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition] with Ralph Bowen, and Joel Frahm, Jimmy Greene, John Ellis. You can't play the saxophone better than any of those guys play. So many of those things that those guys could do I wish I could do now, let alone then.” quote by Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3bb/jon-gordon-1655_competition_i-was-on-thelonious-monk-international-s_843648.jpg)
“I was [ on Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition] with Ralph Bowen, and Joel Frahm, Jimmy Greene, John Ellis. You can't play the saxophone better than any of those guys play. So many of those things that those guys could do I wish I could do now, let alone then.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Jazz Competition Reflection, 2005
He admires top saxophonists and feels his own skill lags behind theirs, wishing he could match their abilities now.
In simple terms: He wishes he could play as well as the best saxophonists.
Key Takeaway
Practice and learn from masters.
Themes
humility
aspiration
skill development
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- music lessons
- personal practice
- mentorship
- performance preparation
Key Concepts
musicianship
role models
self‑efficacy
Questions to Reflect On
- What specific techniques can you adopt from these masters?
- How can you set realistic milestones?
A Different Perspective
Talent gaps may persist despite effort; external factors affect progress.
![“I'm very gratified that I had my little 15 minutes,or whatever [at the Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition]. It certainly didn't make me rich and famous. But it helped a little bit for a while.” quote by Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8fd/jon-gordon-1655_bits_i-m-very-gratified-that-i-had-my-little_744660.jpg)
![“[Winning the Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition]definitely opened some doors.” quote by Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1d3/jon-gordon-1655_competition_winning-the-thelonious-monk-internationa_658906.jpg)
![“I was able to go over [Saxophone Competition] and work a little more in Europe. I'm thankful that those of kinds of things. Simultaneously, some nice things did come in. I got a nice festival that came in, in Virginia through that. There was a club that opened in DC in the famous Willard Hotel…” quote by Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/72b/jon-gordon-1655_able_i-was-able-to-go-over-saxophone-competit_3208464.jpg)
![“Ernie Hayes, Jimmy Lewis, and either Belton Evans or Khalil Mahdi on drums [were in Sweet Basil]. All those guys really took care of me.” quote by Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/400/jon-gordon-1655_basil_ernie-hayes-jimmy-lewis-and-either-belto_200776.jpg)
