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pjn -> RE: Paco's new guitar...same old one?? (May 23 2013 4:59:06)
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Greetings --
Sabicas walked in to the American Institute of Guitar on 54th Street unannounced on the Friday before he passed, in one of those loud plaid suits of his, wig somewhat askew; I was there as usual with Dennis Koster and Andy Nitkin, who ran the place, some assorted students and teachers.
The Maestro seemed disoriented, said he'd misplaced his keys and couldn't get in to his apartment; he lived around the corner on 8th Avenue, in a modern doorman building, so probably could have been let in with the "house copy."
At the time I had just been smitten with flamenco, although I was at the AIG doing our little publishing venture; and I was close to Dennis at that time, who was quite close with Sabicas -- so I got to play about 40 seconds por Garrotín with the Maestro before he asked for someone to accompany him home. A young Latin guy who was studying with Dennis was chosen, and out the door they went arm in arm.
An hour later the kid was back -- he had found the keys in Sabicas' pocket (where they had been all along), had gone upstairs and gotten the Maestro comfortable. There were guitar cases around.
Over the weekend the stroke happened, and he passed in the hospital. So there was ample opportunity for someone who knew where he lived, and that he wasn't at home, etc.; but Sabicas had a wife and daughter (who looked very much like him, poor woman lol). They were on the scene when he passed and it's quite possible it was they who grabbed the instruments. Also, Sabicas' brother Diego was very much around and for sure would have been aware of the instrument situation -- I'd ask Dennis what he knows if we were in touch these days.
OK that's it -- just a bit of history for ya.
Cheers, Jared
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