The Great Okra

How do you even begin to say goodbye? When you practice with someone for several years, you form a bond that is indescribable. You just let the music play and react. 

When I got the call on October 11th from Ricardo, I still couldn’t believe it. Just like that, someone important and dear to you just gone. It’s unfair, it’s not something that is easy to understand. How does one come to terms with it? I just sat there and thought, “man, what the hell”. 

Aaron was an awesome person. From the times I spent with him on and off stage, to all the practices, I absolutely enjoyed watching him grow both as a musician and a person. There were practices where he would absolutely shred on his solo, and others where he would throw you so much controlled chaos that you’re absolutely stunned. The best thing about practice was the solos were never the same. There were unique almost every time just like Aaron was.

It was great getting to hear him try something new. Each time he played a solo it got way better than the first. It was indicative of his character. He would put all of himself into a task and the outcome was wonderful. It was inspiring to the point that I wanted to get better as a musician as well. I would ask him questions all the time about his progress with school and enjoyed hearing that he was doing so well. Especially when he said he made it into school at El paso. 

For someone with so much talent, it would’ve been wrong for him to not to continue and grow even if it was somewhere else.