Bob Greenhaw was a genius in directing our big band. He stood right in front of me rehearsing the band – and I soaked up all that I could. BG and I traveled together to gigs throughout the southeastern United States listening to and discussing the music of folks like Count Basie, Rob McConnell, Bob Florence, and Thad Jones. Talk about an education! Not to mention the professional performing experience I was getting. Rich Matteson would call it the HIRE education, H-I-R-E.

It was in the 11th grade with the Florida All State Jazz Band that would truly guide and affect the rest of my life. You see, the late great Rich Matteson was our all-state clinician, and we were all mesmerized by the man’s charisma and musicianship. I knew since junior high that I wanted to be a band director, but with the Rich experience at all-state – I now wanted to make jazz my specialty area as an educator and player.

I did my student teaching with Mr. Joe David at Valdosta High School. He taught me the importance of the entire realm in band directing and just how impacting it could be in the lives of young people. Mr. David would say, “Z, when that alarm goes off at 5:30 in the morning, it is a calling for us to go make a difference in the lives of kids. We don’t get up to go sell widgets or meet sales quotas. Our work is much more important than that! Kids only get one pass through. It is a must that we make it special!” How’s that for a mantra? Yes, Mr. David was an incredible man who had great influence on me. He taught me how to motivate and inspire kids, how to reprimand without damaging, and how to run the enterprise that is a band program. In short, he taught me how to be leader.