My name is Cindy Basco and I’m asking you today to help my sister, Melody Cortez, recover from the most difficult time of her life, the sudden and unexpected loss of her husband of 33 years, Chris Cortez.

Their love story began in late 1990. While living in Charlotte, NC, Melody looked forward to going out to hear live music after work. She especially loved the music of Chris Cortez, a respected jazz guitarist and vocalist who played at several places around town. She always seemed to know where he was playing and made sure to be in the audience often. One night after his set, they were introduced. And as fate would have it, they were the perfect pairing of melody to musician!

Their shared passion for the arts, music, performance, and education helped them take a gigantic leap of faith in 2016 with the founding of the nonprofit arts haven, Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts (affectionately known as “the Boo”) in Winter Park, FL, just north of Chris’ hometown of Orlando, FL. The audience and support grew quickly. In 2024 they expanded to a new and ambitious location - a 3-story former library building in Winter Park, FL. They began renovations in September 2024, with the goal of transforming the 33,000 square foot building into the performing arts and recording complex of their dreams for the community of artists and musicians in the Orlando area as well as traveling musicians. The reopening date was June 22, 2025.

Chris had a couple of strange health symptoms in late August, so the doctors ordered a brain scan which led to a shocking discovery. He had a glioblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor that was aggressive, inoperable and incurable. In October, the doctors told him he had 6-8 months to live.

After playing a final, farewell concert on October 30th to an adoring, sold out crowd at the Boo, Chris and Melody quickly made the choice to relocate to West Hollywood, CA, to be with Chris’ sister Katherine and his sister-in-law Catlin so they could all be together for his remaining time. His nephews Gabriel and Joe-Joe, (aka Christopher), soon joined the family. They shared a final Thanksgiving together. And then, surrounded by so much love, Chris passed the morning of December 21, 2025.

Just 2 months after his diagnosis.

My sister now faces so many hardships: moving forward through sudden, unimaginable grief; facing mounting doctor and hospital bills; and finding a way to provide for her loss of Chris' income.

I know she can do it - Chris’ original song, “Melody Makes it Happen”, tells us so.

https://bluebambooartcenter.com/track/3367241/melody-makes-it-happen

But she needs our help! Please help my sister any way you can. Help her know she’s not alone, that so many of us understand her grief and challenges and that we’re here with her, walking along on the difficult and unexpected path where she now finds herself. Life is full of twists, turns and surprises. None of us know where our path leads. But it’s certain that at some time we will all need the help of our friends. This time it’s Melody’s turn. Thank you so much for helping during her time of need.

With so much gratitude and wishes for a happy and healthy new year,

Cindy