''Formidable'' is an album by jazz guitarist

Pat Martino Pat Martino (born Patrick Carmen Azzara; August 25, 1944 – November 1, 2021) was an American jazz guitarist and composer. Biography Martino was born Patrick Carmen Azzara in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, to father Carmen "Mickey" ...

. Formidable is the last full length album released by Martino before his death in 2021. It was recorded in April 2017 at Jankland Recording in Wall Township, New Jersey, and was released by

HighNote Records HighNote Records is a jazz record company and label founded by Joe Fields with his son, Barney Fields, in 1997. Joe Fields worked for Prestige Records in the 1960s, and in the 1970s founded Muse Records. After he sold Muse, he started the Hig ...

later that year. On the album, Martino is joined by saxophonist Adam Niewood, trumpeter Alex Norris, organist

Pat Bianchi Pat Bianchi is an American jazz organist from New York, known for playing the Hammond B-3 organ. Career Originally from Rochester, New York, Bianchi started playing after being given an organ at the age of 7. Deluke, R. J. (2019)Pat Bianchi: B3 ...

, and drummer Carmen Intorre Jr.

Reception

In a review for ''

DownBeat ' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chi ...

'', Bobby Reed wrote: "Among the aspects that make this album a keeper are a sturdy commitment to swing, and the generosity of a leader who lets his gifted accompanists stretch out with solos. A couple of ballads... are performed in a trio setting, showcasing Martino's mastery of tempo and illustrating that a smoldering flame can be just as hot as a raging inferno." Writing for ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

'',

John Fordham John Fordham (died 1425) was Bishop of Durham and Bishop of Ely. Fordham was keeper of the privy seal of Prince Richard from 1376 to 1377 and Dean of Wells before being named Lord Privy Seal in June 1377. He held that office until December 1381. ...

remarked: "Pat Martino has the... reputation of being a guitarists' guitarist, on account of his speed, accuracy and creamy-smooth tone. But along with these virtues comes a toughness and bite that derive from his early years in the funky organ combos of Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff et al. This album harks back somewhat to those days... the poised and unflappable Martino still manages to dominate the proceedings, turning a good session into something a bit special." ''

Jazz Times ''JazzTimes'' is an American magazine devoted to jazz. Published 10 times a year, it was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1970 by Ira Sabin as the newsletter ''Radio Free Jazz'' to complement his record store. Coverage After a decade of growth ...

'' writer Dan Bilawsky called the group "a band once earthy and sophisticated, ably delivering a beautifully ecumenical program that acknowledges standards, Martino's back catalog and composers deserving of recognition." In a review for ''

All About Jazz ''All About Jazz'' is a website established by Michael Ricci in 1995. A volunteer staff publishes news, album reviews, articles, videos, and listings of concerts and other events having to do with jazz. Ricci maintains a related site, ''Jazz Near ...

'', Victor L. Schermer commented: "Martino's playing is, as always, impeccable and at times stunning, but here he places himself squarely in the context of his quintet... this album is leonine, not so much as a frontal attack as a work of consummate artistry on the part of Martino and his group. It recapitulates what has gone before but with a sense of a new dawn." In a separate ''AAJ'' article, Ian Patterson noted that Martino's "playing seems much more invested in conjuring mood and feeling than in any extravagant displays of technique."

Track listing

# "El Niño" (

Joey Calderazzo Joseph Dominick Calderazzo (February 27, 1965) is a jazz pianist and brother of musician Gene Calderazzo. He played extensively in bands led by Michael Brecker and Branford Marsalis, and has also led his own bands. Early life Calderazzo was born ...

) – 7:07 # "Hipsippy Blues" (

Hank Mobley Henry "Hank" Mobley (July 7, 1930 – May 30, 1986) was an American hard bop and soul jazz tenor saxophonist and composer. Mobley was described by Leonard Feather as the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone", a metaphor used to descr ...

) – 6:58 # "Homage" (

Gerry Niewood Gerry Niewood (April 6, 1943 – February 12, 2009), born Gerard Joseph Nevidosky, was an American jazz saxophonist and flutist who worked often with Chuck Mangione. Like Mangione, Niewood was born in Rochester, New York, and graduated from the E ...

) – 9:12 # "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love" (

Charles Mingus Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz upright bassist, pianist, composer, bandleader, and author. A major proponent of collective improvisation, he is considered to be one of the greatest jazz musicians and ...

) – 7:54 # "El Hombre" (Martino) – 7:02 # "

In Your Own Sweet Way "In Your Own Sweet Way" is a 1955 jazz standard, and one of the most famous compositions by Dave Brubeck. It was written around 1952, but its copyright notice was dated 1955. Brubeck's wife Iola, for whom the song was written, later wrote a lyric ...

" (

Dave Brubeck David Warren Brubeck (; December 6, 1920 – December 5, 2012) was an American jazz pianist and composer. Often regarded as a foremost exponent of cool jazz, Brubeck's work is characterized by unusual time signatures and superimposing contrasti ...

) – 8:16 # "Nightwings" (Martino) – Martino # "

In a Sentimental Mood "In a Sentimental Mood" is a jazz composition by Duke Ellington. He composed the piece in 1935 and recorded it with his orchestra during the same year. Lyrics were written by Manny Kurtz; Ellington's manager Irving Mills gave himself a percent ...

" (

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based ...

) – 9:34 # "On the Stairs" (Martino) – 6:25

Personnel

– guitar *

– organ * Carmen Intorre Jr. – drums * Adam Niewood – tenor saxophone (tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9) * Alex Norris – trumpet (tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9), flugelhorn (track 2)

References

{{Reflist 2017 albums Pat Martino albums HighNote Records albums