The Jam Session With Toto That Turned Into An Unreleased Track

April 1, 2025

The summer of 1982 was a turning point for me, a time when dreams bubbled with excitement and the scent of possibility lingered in the air like fresh-cut grass. I had been playing guitar since I was eight, practicing every day after school in my small bedroom where posters of rock legends plastered the walls. Looking back, I can hardly believe that I was about to jam with none other than Toto, the band that had created the hit song “Africa,” which had become the anthem of my teenage years.

It all began when my cousin, who was a sound engineer, invited me to a studio session in Los Angeles. The thrill of stepping into that recording studio felt surreal. There they were: Steve Lukather, the lead guitarist with a presence that could make your heart race, and the incredible David Paich, crafting melodies that seemed to float on air. I was starstruck but determined to make my mark. I was just a kid with a dream, but I couldn’t let nerves get the better of me. As the session started, I felt a mix of excitement and fear coursing through me.

The moment I strummed my guitar, everything changed. The room filled with energy, and our music intertwined like a beautiful tapestry. We experimented with riffs, came up with catchy melodies, and laughed as we played off one another’s ideas. The jam session turned into a magical whirlwind of sound, with each note carrying the weight of our combined experiences and dreams. As the hours flew by, I realized that I had crossed a threshold—I was no longer just a fan; I was part of something bigger, something alive and pulsating with creativity.

In that incredible session, we stumbled upon a melody that felt electric. It spiraled out of our fingers effortlessly, evolving into what felt like a hidden gem. We all knew we had something special, something worth sharing with the world. But as time went on, the track remained unreleased, tucked away in the archives of that studio. Despite this, the experience had transformed me. Those few hours of music with Toto ignited my passion in a way I’d never expected. It taught me the importance of collaboration and the beauty of taking chances.

When I left the studio that day, I felt a new sense of purpose. I began writing and recording my own music, carrying the lessons learned from that fateful jam session into my own art. Every time I picked up my guitar, I remembered the laughter, the energy, and the incredible feeling of creating alongside legends. While the unreleased track may never see the light of day, the magic of that moment lived on within me, fueling my journey as a musician.

Years later, as I stand on stage under the bright lights, I think back to that day with Toto. I understand now that every note, every moment spent creating, is a step on a path filled with possibilities. That jam session wasn’t just about the music; it was about learning to chase dreams with courage and heart. It reminded me that passion is an unstoppable force, and sometimes, the journey is more important than the destination. Each time I play, I send a small piece of my heart back to that unforgettable summer, knowing that music has the power to connect us all, even if just for a fleeting moment.