Backstage at Phat Cats is a tiny open area between the store-room and the customer bathroom. The Vine Street Rumba Band, a seven-piece Latin jazz orchestra, are all sweating from the first set. All are in their late thirties to late forties, except for bassist Pedro Arevalo: in his mid-twenties, he is the young pup of the group. Arevalo is getting a lecture on jazz history from percussionist Hernando Bueno (both shown at right). Bueno has just finished talking about Freddie Hubbard and animatedly moves on to discuss Ron Carter. Excitedly waving his arms, Bueno finally concludes the impromptu classroom lesson with "...that's how Carter was able to do some of the things he did later on in his life, because he stopped and took the time to go back and learn the roots of jazz. You have got to go back and learn the roots or you'll never understand anything about jazz." Arevalo smiles and nods politely. The rest of the band sip their drinks and barely avoid snickering. They've apparently heard this same speech many times before.