Meola didn't choose anybody, he just got paid some decent money,I suppose,and it has nothing to do with how good or how bad Agutin is.I know a guy,who is a really good jazz player,not a star ,though,who hired John Pattitucci to play some gig in NYC for far less then you would think.
Meola is not such a big star these days,here in States he is playing medium size clubs,not concert halls,his glory days are far behind