I was waiting for Zawinul’s cue.

“Come on Joe... What are you doing…Not on the last song of the tour.”

If he doesn’t cue, I’ll completely mess the intensity the song.

I was supposed to build it.

We were nearing the last four bars. Then 8 beats. Then we’d be done.

Joe smiled at me.

My thoughts raced,

Forget it.

We couldn’t end it like that. We’re the best in the world, we were supposed to be at least.

I held my breath, the anger grew.

I smashed the snare. I wasn’t going to stop with end of the piece.

Tom. Snare. Tom.

The lights went off.

My hands began to bleed.

Shorter glared at me. What are you doing?

I didn’t care. I felt the rhythm pulse through me.

The spotlight turned on. On me.

There wasn’t a single clap. Whole stadium silent.

I stopped.

Stood, bowed.

Walked off stage.

As I headed to sound check,

I thought. I knew it was over.

I walked in, bowed head,

I looked up to see the whole band.

Joe handed me a Dixie cup of Cognac. He said something I never expected,

“Last night you did something, last night you graduated.”