Tenor saxophonist Victor Goines is dedicated to his music. His schedule reflects this. He gigs about town, travels as a member of the Ruth Brown Orchestra, and teaches in the Jazz Studies program at the University of New Orleans. He barely has time to reflect on the good fortune that has allowed him to support himself through jazz.

Goines became interested in jazz while playing in the jazz ensemble at Saint Augustine High School, his alma mater, in 1977, but it wasn't until 1978 or '79 th...