…gong fu actually means skill that transcends mere surface beauty.  A martial artist whose technique is decorative but without power “has no gong fu,” whereas, say, a calligrapher whose work is no pretty to look at but reflects a strong, austere taste certainly “has gong fu.”

(Mark Salzman, pg 30 Iron and Silk)

A saxophonist should also have gong fu in his or her playing.

Part of that means, really mastering the basics before moving on.  And having a solid foundation beneath any flashy technique.

Sometimes I hear a musician grooving and then they ruin it by playing something fancy that loses the groove.

Mastery of anything involves the same processes, so I would recommend the book Iron & Silk even you don’t study martial arts.  And the author, Salzman, also plays cello and he took his cello to China on his stay there.