Percy France was the young man that really turned me and my group around, because I had started recording with King with a trio. And when I heard the music that I had recorded with King on a playback, Wild Bill Davis and I sounded so much alike, so I thought I’d add a saxophone. I can't remember the young fellow’s name who recommended Percy France to me. But anyhow, he had a band and we were both with Shaw Artists. And I met him down there one afternoon and I was talking with him and I said, you know, man, I sure would like to have a nice young saxophone player. He said, Well, I know just the fellow for you. Said he's a fine young man. He plays wonderful tenor. And that's how I met Percy France.

 

Percy France had the unique ability to be able to, as we say in the business, build a solo. He would start off simply. And he had the ability to pick you up and carry you with him with his solos, as a singer would do, just lift you, you don't know what's happening to you, but you're enjoying it.

 

One of the first records that we made was a thing called "Early Bird." And you'll notice how his solo builds. It's just built off of a blues pattern. But Percy’s solo just starts off easy and melodically and gradually builds, just sort of raises you up, almost out of your seat.