Venue

I first met Jaco at the "Cafe' Exchange" which used to sit atop the Musician’s Exchange on Sunrise Blvd in Ft. Lauderdale in 1981-82.
Over the next 4-5 years our paths would cross from time to time, usually when we were both in a place neither one of us of needed to be in.
I remember some really wonderful moments as well.. The time Jaco jumped up on stage at ‘Summer’s on the Beach” and sat in with Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson who were touring as The Band w/o Levon..
Jaco played circles around Danko and Rick was none too pleased about it. But I knew Rick and I knew he'd get over it. Jaco was just happy to be playing with cats of that caliber.
The time Jaco appeared on stage at “City Limits” over by Port Everglades and went toe to toe with Andy West and “The Dixie Dregs” is a musical highlight of my life.
The last time I saw Jaco play was at the bandshell on Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood Fla. Jaco’s jazz improvisations in front of an audience of white haired retiree’s and a couple of hardcore freaks.. makes me smile to think about it..
As I said at the onset I would cross paths with Jaco in dark places were no one smiles..
I moved away from Ft Lauderdale in July of 1987 to a small town in West Texas because I knew I might die there if I stayed and I wanted to get clean.
Three months later....
I was dating a radio DJ when she called me from the station to tell me "that bass playing buddy of yours is in the hospitial".
I didn’t know what she was talking about but then she read me the AP wire print out of the incident.
A few days later we got the word that Jaco had indeed passed on.
I can not tell you or anyone else how utterly profound that hit me.
It hurt like a sledge.
I finally got clean and sober some 6 six weeks after Jaco’s passing and have remained so for the pass 16 plus years.
I miss him for what he left us and I pine for what could have been.
Peace to you Jaco and I’m grateful for having spent some time in your company.
You will always be missed.