Dear Tommie, those are really nice words. Both guys were great artists from our time, each of them an unique example of greatness. As for Don, I've been all my live telling percussionists to look at him, to listen to him, especially to all salsa players who wanted to get into more expanded forms of music, who wanted to participate in some fusion or jazz project. They usually have no idea about dinamics and about playing within an improvised context, and for that Don was the quintaessential master. Yes, the most refined and deepest example out there. Everywhere he was in, music's class whent up several notches. He knew inside-out latin music from its very roots, yet he was the ever leading jazz percussionist, the exemplary man whose concept was the strongest statement in that field. When you saw him play he was completely absorbed into the music and had this sublime happiness in his face that made you feel as a little kid. Don was a living god of music, one of those that walk into our planet and bring us the purest messages of life from their silent, transparent humanity. What a priceless presence he was, and what a lost for all of us. Glory to you Don, and thanks for comming down here.

A love supreme,
Xavier Padilla