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Arca Americana's avatar

This letter made me cry. I don't know how I never knew this letter existed. What a powerful manifesto from two titans with hearts and minds as large as the cosmos.

As a jazz bass player, voracious reader, and unpublished writer, your writing, Mr. Gioia, has always been an inspiration.

As a former student of John Patitucci, a member of Wayne Shorter’s last quartet, this loss is soul-crushing.

If I remember correctly, I was at the inaugural concert where this new Shorter Quartet first burst on the scene.

I still dream of that concert, me on the lawn watching mybteacchwr and bass hero along with the titan and master as well Brian Blade and Danilo Perez, making the most joyous sounds together, sounding like a symphony rather than a quartet.

I have such fond memories of stories from John Patitucci about playing with Wayne, about Wayne’s profound way of communicating, and his love for various forms of storytelling.

This is such a heavy loss. I haven't felt this sad about losing an artist since Prince, another hero of mine.

Thank you for hipping me to this letter. It is a clarion for all of humanity. I can't wait to read what you have to say about Wayne in the days to come.

Thank you, Mr. Gioia.

Be well and blessed,

pacomahone

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Thomas Crone's avatar

This is a quite an amazing open letter that you've shared. I'm just floored by the decency, the humanity expressed by the co-writers. Thank you.

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