Legendary jazz guitarist Pat Martino passes away at 77

    LOS ANGELES, CA, November 14, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Pat Martino was definitely a transformational figure in the world of jazz music and the realm of great guitar players. From the world of exceptional rock and fusion musicians Martino was held in high self esteem by players like Les Paul, Jeff Beck, John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco, Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton. Martino's influence was felt by jazz guitarists like Julian Lage, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, John Schofield and Ulf Wakenius.

Martino tried to surround himself with first class people that could help guide his career and always point him in the right direction. Two such men are his longtime manager and confidant, Joe Donofrio and former student, John Austin Mulhern who would evolve into one of Martino's closest friends.

Martino has had many great achievements in his life. But his greatest achievement may have been recovering from surgery for a severe brain aneurysm that also damaged his memory. Through intensive study of his music, and with the help of computer technology was able to reverse the memory loss, and resumed his recording and performance.

As a solo artist, Martino was initially signed to the Prestige label and knocked out five albums where he worked with organists Don Patterson and Jack McDuff and moved to NYC when he was 15 years of age to play at Smalls Paradise in Harlem. They used to call him the Kid.

He moved to LA to take a position at GIT as a teacher with Howard Roberts & Tommy Tedesco until forced to leave LA and move back to Philly to be operated on for his brain Aneurism at the UOP hospital in Philadelphia.

His first touring gig in jazz was with organist Charles Earland, who was a friend from high school. As his reputation grew, Martino played with artists such as Slide Hampton and Red Holloway, but also R&B stalwarts like Lloyd Price. Between 1967 and 1970: El Hombre, Strings!, East!, Baiyini (The Clear Evidence) and Live! He went on to record for Muse, Evidence, Blue Note, High Note and others over the years. His last recording, Formidable, came out in 2017 on High Note.

Through his playing and teaching Pat Martino is acknowledged as The Master Of The Jazz Guitar. His music and compositions will live forever. Rest In Peace Pat Martino.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/02/arts/music/pat-martino-jazz-guitarist-who-overcame-amnesia-dies-at-77.html

https://downbeat.com/news/detail/in-memoriam-pat-martino-1944-2021

https://www.thejazzguitarlife.com/.../pat-martino.../

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ2FyXZwg9E - Unstrung Documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVqj5WgEUxI - Jazz Video Tribute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_GaAvByI34

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