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In the early 80's, Joe Pass, one of the finest solo guitar players that ever lived, had just finished his last set at Fat Tuesday's. I was alone that night, sitting at the bar. Joe didn't want to have to hail a cab, and I believe it was raining that night as well. He said "Who's Going My Way?". I had my car right outside and I said, Joe "which way do you need to go?" He said, "I'm staying around the corner from the Plaza. Since I lived in Queens, it didn't matter which way I went home, so I said, "sure I'll take you".

It felt so cool seeing this Jazz Great was just a regular guy. As I dropped Joe off, I told him that if he ever needed a ride, I'd be glad to pick him up. Joe told me "you pick me up tomorrow and you can get in for free" So, I did that for the next 12 years.

During those 12 years of driving Joe, I got to meet so many other great artists, Toots Thielmans, Milt Jackson, Jim Hall, Tony Bennett, Wayne Wright (who became one of my very best friends) and the Queen of Swing herself, Ella Fitzgerald.

Joe was such an easy going guy and he told me that if it wasn't for his father, he might not have turned into the guitarist he was. His father was no musician, but he didn't want his son having to struggle for jobs as he had. He made Joe learn a tune, inside and out. He would keep adding to Joe's repertoire, but always making him play the first song he ever learned and play through everything he knew. By doing this, Joe's practice sessions soon grew to be about 6 hours a day. That's quite some regiment for a boy of 9 years old.

Joe's been gone over 14 years already, but some people's experiences are never to be forgotten. I still can hear those words "is anyone going my way!"

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