It was 1980 when the Yellowjackets released their self-titled debut record. Can you believe it? 30 years ago? I haven't missed a release yet. I have purchased every record they've ever recorded since the first one. And finally, after 3 decades of music and countless live performances, we finally meet. Well, kind of. I could have met them a long time ago but according to my son, I am such a shy wimp. I never follow through on these meets with people. I know. You could never imagine me shy. But trust me. I never go up to any of these artist after a show to talk. Jordan' got the guts. He'll run up there. I wait in the car. But this one was different. "Finally" (Jordan) Let me explain.

The first up encounter was through my sister Damaris. She met Russell Ferrante's sister in northern California at some conference, mentioned what a tremendous fan she was of Russell and The Yellowjackets, and eventually made contact with him in hopes of having him produce her next release with Discovery Records. Russell was excited for the opportunity but due to conflicts in scheduling and touring, was unable to do the record. But that's ok. It still gave me a point of reference. So at my next visit to The Bottom Line to hear YJ, I went up to him after the show and introduced myself as Damaris' brother. He was gracious to me and John Mitchell Jr. (I think he attended that night with me). Cool. Too bad Jordan was too young to be there and witness his dad overcome his shyness.

The next moment was a little late. You see, by the time I met

my favorite drummer (of a trio of favorites: Peter Erskine/Steve Jordan) Will Kennedy, he had already left the band to pursue some other interests. He was at Living Hope Community Church with Pastor Sam Meza. But get this. He wasn't' playing drums on that particular Sunday. He was simply sitting in the congregation. So here I am preaching in this church and who's in the audience? My favorite drummer. Can you see the urine flowing down my leg?

And then comes this past Friday. The next link is Bob Francescini. He wrote to me a month ago to say he would be playing with YJ, subbing a few gigs for Bob Mintzer. I just about died. We in NYC all felt that Bobby F. should have been in YJ 20 years ago. So this was like a dream come true for me (for him too, I'm sure). And what a night it was. So me and my family arrive, we're taken back stage and introduced by Bob to the rest of YJ as "my best friends, the Cortese". Who's in the room? Will Kennedy!!!! Back in the band!!!! We hugged and were thrilled to see each other, then Russell, who remembered me as Damaris' brother, and lastly Jimmy Haslip (who I'm sure is wondering who are these people.

Jimmy was engaged in a iPhone

tutorial with Bob's son.

So while he was gracious in meeting us, he went back to the iPhone tutorial :-( This bothered me a little bit. But then I soon realized after some quality time with him afterwards, that he is a fully present person who gives his full time and attention to whoever he is speaking to (unlike myself who multitasks convos, terrible!). I wasn't getting this as the top of the night. But at the close of the evening, I decided to dispel my son's image of me as a wimp and go for the jugular and talk to Jimmy Haslip. I mentioned my love of Red Heat, his solo album that is unreal. And some how or another we got into our backgrounds, nationalities, and before you know it, The Bronx. Don't tell me this borough in not the bomb. More artists come from Bronx than you think. And he's half Puertorican. Pa que fue eso! We ended up talking more with him than with anybody else. What a gentleman. What a gracious spirit. What a artist. He let us into deep places of his heart with exchanges about the most precious things to him (his father, his daughter) and kicked around some up and coming projects that will be released soon.

What a night. What a great group of guys. What a great group of new friends. Now I can get Jordan off my back.