Dave Matthews Band saxophonist Jeff Coffin was quite possibly one of the last people to spend intimate time with Col. Bruce Hampton prior to his untimely and horrific death last night at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. 

Coffin posted the above photo on Instagram to celebrate his birthday, noting that the two had lunch at an Indian restaurant in Atlanta. He also said that he was glad to catch the Colonel before Coffin jumped on a plane to head to Peru. “I’m really glad I got to see him today,” Coffin wrote. “Many many more years of unbridled creativity to you Bruce.” 

The heartbreaking reality of the Colonel’s passing made their final visit together all the more special, surely, as Coffin reposted the photo earlier this morning when the news broke. “I can’t really wrap my head around it,” he wrote. “I’m so grateful I got to spend time with him yesterday and to laugh and share stories. He was bigger than life and he will be celebrated for years by countless people and endless notes.”