So many knew Ralph Ortiz better than I in a personal and artistic way, but when a great man goes, one feels the need to express something.

Ralph taught bass at Northfield Music for 21 years, and he and owner Joe Chiappone were brothers in music and friendship. I would stop into Northfield and there Ralph would be, waiting for a student, and we would look at each other and laugh. Sometimes we would say words, but most of the time just laugh as men do when they want to show affection for one another.

I know why I was laughing; it was because Ralph was a man who had a little bit of heaven around him. Any troubles I might be feeling would fall away in that instant, because the larger picture was being revealed. What a gift Ralph was just by being himself.

To know a part of heaven, I suppose one must also feel the depths as well. Ralph Ortiz, bass player extraordinaire, would take audiences through tales of sorrow, passion, and release, as a warrior would speaking of his journeys.

A few days ago, I went to see Ralph at Highland Hospital, and up in the hallway on the sixth floor there was a line of people. It was quite a sight; not only were there so many people to see him, but there was enough talent in that hallway to write another Beethoven symphony on the spot. They were all there to see Ralph, and I must say this also speaks to the beauty of the musical community in Rochester.

I waited my turn, and when I walked in the room, he started laughing and I started laughing. Here was the man with a bit of heaven around him teaching me again. As I write this, it is hard to speak of Ralph in the past tense, because even though part of him is gone, he left the best part, his spirit, with us. So many people love you, Rafael.

STEVE GREENE, BRIGHTON