As a young man busking Europe, I chatted music with a jolly Belgian man. He insisted that I hear a live album by three virtuoso acoustic guitar players. And so, with the vinyl spinning, good wine uncorked, we stood attentively listening past midnight (while his family slept) to Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Paco De Lucia playing live in his kitchen. Warfield Theatre room echo bouncing on the ceiling, guitar strings resonating in our bodies, even the audience's clapping (which crashed like waves at each climaxing crescendo) danced through the pinpoint of a needle cajoling wide smiles across our faces, hearts, and spirits.

Have you had such magical moments in your life? Be grateful. I am. Jose brought me two such magical moments. Relaxed in the dim intimate setting of TOCA's Nakano Theatre, Jose's passionate playing stirred the memory of that resonant night in Belgium. As I clapped and cheered, I realized I was in the presence of musical magic, just like those who were immortalized in vinyl at the Warfield Theatre in 1980.

Swinging arpeggios accented by a rainfall of impossibly-fingered runs with intermittently-timed, surprise attacks of fingernail strums. What a delightful spirit-stirring, musical experience!

And the other magical moment? It was foist upon me as I meandered to the show. I'll let it remain mysterious inspiration for you to simply be open to serendipity (musical or otherwise).