My high school was situated directly opposite the largest music store in Costa Rica, Instrumentos Musicales Bansbach. As you can imagine, I probably spent more time inside the store than in the classrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There, I managed to befriend several people, including Don Dotti, the administrator, and Diego Fournier, who was in charge of the piano and keyboard sections, among many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2016, while I was still studying guitar and not yet a fully-fledged musician (though I hope to be one someday), Diego invited me to see his son perform at Amon Solar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He shared that his son lived in New York and was a xylophonist, working as a producer and full-time musician. Diego, an accomplished pianist himself, was very proud of his son and wanted me to meet him and listen to his performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of my best friends, another remarkable pianist, producer, and composer named Alberto Zuluaga, was keen to attend the concert and record it for Diego.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What followed was one of the most amazing jazz concerts I have ever attended. That\u2019s quite a statement. Years later, I even had the opportunity to briefly spend time with David Garfield and Alex Ligertwood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following year, Felipe went on to win a Latin Grammy for the album \u2018Las Caras Lindas\u2019 with Mariachi Flor de Toloache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, after years away from the limelight, I feel a deep, melancholic longing for those times when I played live. But also for those moments when I attended concerts as an audience member, utterly captivated by the composition, virtuosity, and sheer magic of the music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Costa Rica is brimming with art and music. Behind each performance lie years of practice, effort, and dreams, transforming notes, melodies, and harmonies into experiences for all to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s in those moments, whether sharing unique performances from the stage or as a member of the audience, that I feel the greatest happiness and fulfillment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hope to return to playing live soon<\/p>\n\n\n\n