Pat Martino (born Patrick Carmen Azzara; August 25, 1944 – November 1, 2021) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

guitarist and composer.

Biography

Martino was born Patrick Carmen Azzara in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

, United States, to father Carmen "Mickey" Azzara (d. 1990) and mother Jean (née Orlando, d. 1989). He was first exposed to jazz by his father, who sang in local clubs and briefly studied guitar. Martino began playing professionally at the age of 15 after moving to New York City. He lived for a period with

Les Paul Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009), known as Les Paul, was an American jazz, country, and blues guitarist, songwriter, luthier, and inventor. He was one of the pioneers of the solid-body electric guitar, and his prototype ...

and began playing at jazz clubs such as

Smalls Paradise Smalls Paradise (often called Small's Paradise and Smalls' Paradise, and not to be confused with Smalls Jazz Club), was a nightclub in Harlem, New York City. Located in the basement of 2294 Seventh Avenue at 134th Street, it opened in 1925 and ...

. He later moved into a suite in the President Hotel on 48th Street. He played at Smalls for six months of the year, and played summers at the

Club Harlem Club Harlem was a nightclub at 32 Kentucky Avenue in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Founded in 1935 by Leroy "Pop" Williams, it was the city's premier club for black jazz performers. Like its Harlem counterpart, the Cotton Club, many of Club Harlem' ...

Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020, the city had a population of 38,497.

Martino played and recorded early in his career with Lloyd Price, Willis Jackson, and

Eric Kloss Eric Kloss (born April 3, 1949) is an American jazz saxophonist. Music career Kloss was born blind in Greenville, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, and attended the Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind, which was run by his father. When he was 1 ...

. He also worked with jazz organists Charles Earland,

Richard "Groove" Holmes Richard Arnold "Groove" Holmes (May 2, 1931 – June 29, 1991) was an American jazz organist who performed in the hard bop and soul jazz genre. He is best known for his 1965 recording of " Misty". Career Holmes's first album, on Pacific ...

Jack McDuff Eugene McDuff (September 17, 1926 – January 23, 2001), known professionally as "Brother" Jack McDuff or "Captain" Jack McDuff, was an American jazz organist and organ trio bandleader who was most prominent during the hard bop and soul jazz era ...

, Don Patterson,

Trudy Pitts Gertrude E. "Trudy" Pitts (August 10, 1932 – December 19, 2010) was an American soul jazz keyboardist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was known primarily for playing the Hammond B3 organ. Biography Trained as a musician and a music e ...

, Jimmy Smith,

Gene Ludwig Gene Ludwig (September 4, 1937 – July 14, 2010) was an American jazz and rhythm and blues organist, who recorded as a leader as well as a sideman for Sonny Stitt, Arthur Prysock, Scott Hamilton, Bob DeVos, and Leslie West, and others. Ludwig ...

and

Joey DeFrancesco Joey DeFrancesco (April 10, 1971August 25, 2022) was an American jazz organist, trumpeter, saxophonist, and occasional singer. He released more than 30 albums under his own name, and recorded extensively as a sideman with such leading jazz perfo ...

. In 1980, Martino suffered a hemorrhaged

arteriovenous malformation Arteriovenous malformation is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins, bypassing the capillary system. This vascular anomaly is widely known because of its occurrence in the central nervous system (usually cerebral AVM), but can appea ...

that caused a "near-fatal seizure". The resulting surgery, which removed part of his brain, left him with amnesia and no recollection or knowledge of his career or how to play the instrument that made him successful. He said he came out of surgery with complete forgetfulness, and had to learn to focus on the present rather than the past or the possible future. He had to completely re-learn how to play. He was subsequently chosen as Guitar Player of the Year in the ''

Down Beat ' (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 ...

'' magazine Readers' Poll of 2004. In 2006,

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL or MoFi) is a record label specializing in the production of audiophile issues. The company produces reissued vinyl LP records, compact discs, and Super Audio CDs and other formats. History Recording engineer ...

reissued his album ''

East! ''East!'' is the third album by guitarist Pat Martino recorded in 1968 and released on the Prestige label. Reception AllMusic's Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars stating "Despite the title and the cover of this CD reissue (which makes it a ...

'' on Ultradisc UHR

SACD Super Audio CD (SACD) is an optical disc format for audio storage introduced in 1999. It was developed jointly by Sony and Philips, Philips Electronics and intended to be the successor to the Compact Disc (CD) format. The SACD format allows mul ...

. In 2017, he created a series of educational videos, ''A Study of the Opposites and How They Manifest on the Guitar''.

Musical approach

Martino said, "There are elements within an instrument’s architecture that initiate a continuous source of valuable information. For the guitar, there are two. The first is the major third interval, and the second is the minor third interval. Once we view their repetitive information, they begin to appear as a series of automatic functions." Martino's lines contain chromatic links outside any particular IIm7 chord that might be conceptualized over a chord progression, even in the examples he provides in his books and instructional videos. On his bulletin board he has stated that he formulated the system more as a way to explain his playing rather than as something to use to create music. In his own words, "Although the analysis of some of my recorded solos have been referred to as modal, personally I've never operated in that way. I've always depended upon my own melodic instinct, instead of scale-like formulas."

Personal life

Martino was married to Ayako Asahi Martino; they met in Tokyo, Japan in 1995. Due to a chronic respiratory disorder, he stopped performing in 2018. He died on November 1, 2021, at the age of 77.

Awards and honors

* 1995 Mellon Jazz Festival dedicated in honor * 1996 Philadelphia Alliance Walk of Fame Award * 1997 National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Songs from the Heart Award * 2002 Grammy Award nominations for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, '' Live at Yoshi's'', and Best Jazz Instrumental Solo on "All Blues" * 2002 National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences 2nd Annual Heroes Award * 2003 Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, ''

Think Tank A think tank, or policy institute, is a research institute that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most think tanks are non-governmenta ...

'', and Best Jazz Instrumental Solo on "Africa" * 2004 Guitar Player of the Year, ''DownBeat'' Magazine's 2004 Readers' Poll * 2016 Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes and his wife Sheryl Lee Ralph-Hughes presented Pat Martino with the Jazz Legacy Award

Discography

As leader

* ''

El Hombre ''El Hombre'' is the debut album by jazz guitarist Pat Martino. It was recorded in 1967 and released by Prestige Records Reception Allmusic gave the album 4½ stars, stating, "Guitarist Pat Martino's debut as a leader finds the 22-year-old show ...

'' (

Prestige Prestige refers to a good reputation or high esteem; in earlier usage, ''prestige'' meant "showiness". (19th c.) Prestige may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Films * ''Prestige'' (film), a 1932 American film directed by Tay Garnet ...

, 1967) * '' Strings!'' (Prestige, 1967) * ''

'' (Prestige, 1968) * '' Baiyina (The Clear Evidence)'' (Prestige, 1968) * ''

Desperado Desperado may refer to: * Outlaw, particularly in the American Old West Books * ''Desperadoes'' (comics), a comic book series * ''Desperadoes'' (novel), a 1979 novel by Ron Hansen * Desperado Publishing, an American independent comic book publ ...

'' (Prestige, 1970) * '' The Visit!'' (

Cobblestone Cobblestone is a natural building material based on cobble-sized stones, and is used for pavement roads, streets, and buildings. Setts, also called Belgian blocks, are often casually referred to as "cobbles", although a sett is distinct fro ...

, 1972) * '' Pat Martino/Live!'' (

Muse In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Muses ( grc, Μοῦσαι, Moûsai, el, Μούσες, Múses) are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the ...

, 1974) * ''

Consciousness Consciousness, at its simplest, is sentience and awareness of internal and external existence. However, the lack of definitions has led to millennia of analyses, explanations and debates by philosophers, theologians, linguisticians, and scien ...

'' (Muse, 1975) * ''

Starbright ''Starbright'' is an album by guitarist Pat Martino which was recorded in 1976 and first released on the Warner Bros. Records, Warner Bros. label. Reception The AllMusic site rated the album with 3 stars.

'' (Warner Bros., 1976) * ''

We'll Be Together Again "We'll Be Together Again" is a 1945 popular song composed by Carl T. Fischer, with lyrics by Frankie Laine. Fischer was Laine's pianist and musical director when he composed the tune, and Laine was asked to write the lyrics for it. The Pied Pi ...

'' (Muse, 1976) * ''

Joyous Lake ''Joyous Lake'' is an album by guitarist Pat Martino which was recorded in 1976 and first released on the Warner Bros. label. Reception The AllMusic site rated the album with 3 stars.

'' (

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California, and a subsidiary of Warner Bros. D ...

, 1977) * ''

Exit Exit(s) may refer to: Architecture and engineering * Door * Portal (architecture), an opening in the walls of a structure * Emergency exit * Overwing exit, a type of emergency exit on an airplane * Exit ramp, a feature of a road interchange ...

'' (Muse, 1977) * '' The Return'' (Muse, 1987) * '' Interchange'' (Muse, 1994) * '' The Maker'' (Paddle Wheel

apan Apan is a city and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo, in central-eastern Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 346.9 km². Overview As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 39,247. It was an important site in the Wa ...

1995) * '' Nightwings'' (Muse, 1996) * ''

All Sides Now ''All Sides Now'' is an album by guitarist Pat Martino which was recorded in 1996–97 and first released on the Blue Note label. The album pairs Martino with notable guitarists from across the musical spectrum. Reception In his review for AllMu ...

'' (

Blue Note In jazz and blues, a blue note is a note that—for expressive purposes—is sung or played at a slightly different pitch from standard. Typically the alteration is between a quartertone and a semitone, but this varies depending on the musical co ...

, 1997) * '' Stone Blue'' (Blue Note, 1998) * '' Live at Yoshi's'' (Blue Note, 2001) * ''

'' (Blue Note, 2003) * '' Remember: A Tribute to Wes Montgomery'' (Blue Note, 2006) * '' Undeniable: Live at Blues Alley'' (HighNote, 2011) * '' Alone Together'' (HighNote, 2012) * '' Young Guns'': Gene Ludwig–Pat Martino Trio with Randy Gelispie (HighNote, 2014) * ''

Nexus NEXUS is a joint Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection-operated Trusted Traveler and Border control#Expedited border controls, expedited border control program designed for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Members ...

'' (HighNote, 2015) * '' Formidable'' (HighNote, 2017)

As sideman

With Eric Alexander * ''

The First Milestone ''The First Milestone'' is an album by tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander. It was recorded in 1999 and released by Milestone Records. Recording and music The album was recorded in November 1999. The quintet contains tenor saxophonist Eric Alexan ...

'' (Milestone, 2000) * ''

The Real Thing The Real Thing or Real Thing may refer to: Film and television * The Real Thing (film), ''The Real Thing'' (film) or ''Livers Ain't Cheap'', a 1996 American film * ''The Real Thing'', a 1980 television documentary by James Burke (science historian) ...

'' (HighNote, 2015) With Willis Jackson * '' Grease 'n' Gravy'' (Prestige, 1963) * '' The Good Life'' (Prestige, 1963) * '' Jackson's Action!'' (Prestige, 1964) * '' Boss Shoutin''' (Prestige, 1964) * '' More Gravy'' (Prestige, 1964) * '' Live! Action'' (Prestige, 1965) * '' Soul Night/Live!'' (Prestige, 1966) * '' Tell It...'' (Prestige, 1967) * '' Headed and Gutted'' (Muse, 1974) * '' Bar Wars'' Bar Wars (Muse, 1978) * ''

Single Action A trigger is a mechanism that actuates the function of a ranged weapon such as a firearm, airgun, crossbow, or speargun. The word may also be used to describe a switch that initiates the operation of other non-shooting devices such as a trap ...

'' (Muse, 1980) * '' Nothing Butt...'' (Muse, 1983) With

* ''

Introducing Eric Kloss ''Introducing Eric Kloss'' is the debut album by saxophonist Eric Kloss which was recorded in 1965 and released on the Prestige Records, Prestige label.

'' (Prestige, 1965) * '' Life Force'' (Prestige, 1968) * '' Sky Shadows'' (Prestige, 1968) * '' Consciousness!'' (Prestige, 1970) * '' One, Two, Free'' (Muse, 1972) With

* '' Walk on By'' (Prestige, 1966) * ''

Hallelujah Time! ''Hallelujah Time!'' is an album by organist Jack McDuff recorded between 1963 and 1966 and released on the Prestige label.

'' (Prestige, 1967) * '' The Midnight Sun'' (Prestige, 1968) * ''

Soul Circle ''Soul Circle'' is an album by organist Jack McDuff recorded between 1964 and 1966 and released on the Prestige label.

'' (Prestige, 1968) * '' I Got a Woman'' (Prestige, 1969) * '' Steppin' Out'' (Prestige, 1969) With Charles McPherson * ''

From This Moment On! ''From This Moment On!'' is the fourth album led by saxophonist Charles McPherson recorded in 1968 and released on the Prestige label.Fitzgerald, MJazzdiscography: Charles McPherson Leader Entryaccessed May 15, 2018 Reception Allmusic awarded t ...

'' (Prestige, 1968) * '' Horizons'' (Prestige, 1969) With Don Patterson * '' Holiday Soul'' (Prestige, 1965) * '' Four Dimensions'' (Prestige, 1967) * '' Boppin' & Burnin''' (Prestige, 1968) * '' Opus De Don'' (Prestige, 1968) * ''

Funk You! ''Funk You!'' is an album by organist Don Patterson (organist), Don Patterson recorded in 1968 and released on the Prestige Records, Prestige label.Oh Happy Day "Oh Happy Day" is a 1967 gospel music arrangement of the 1755 hymn by clergyman Philip Doddridge. Recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, it became an international hit in 1969, reaching No. 4 on the US Singles Chart, No. 1 in France, Germany, an ...

'' (Prestige, 1969) * '' These Are Soulful Days'' (Muse, 1974) With

* ''

Introducing the Fabulous Trudy Pitts ''Introducing the Fabulous Trudy Pitts'' is the debut album by jazz organist Trudy Pitts which was recorded in 1967 and released on the Prestige Records, Prestige label.These Blues of Mine ''These Blues of Mine'' is the second album by jazz organist Trudy Pitts, recorded in 1967 and released on the Prestige label.Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain ( ur, , link=no) is the name of: * Zakir Husain (politician), an Indian politician and former president of India * Zakir Hussain (actor), Bollywood actor * Zakir Hussain (field hockey) (1934–2019), Pakistani field hockey player * ...

, '' Fire Dance'' (Mythos, 1997) *

Royce Campbell Royce Campbell (born June 7, 1952) is a jazz guitarist from Indiana who was a member of the Henry Mancini orchestra for twenty years. Musical career He was born in North Vernon, Indiana. When he was five, his mother married a career Navy man, ...

, ''Six by Six'' (Paddle Wheel

1994) *

Cyrus Chestnut Cyrus Chestnut (born January 17, 1963) is an American jazz pianist, composer and producer. In 2006, Josh Tyrangiel, music critic for ''Time'', wrote: "What makes Chestnut the best jazz pianist of his generation is a willingness to abandon notes ...

, ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' (Atlantic, 2000) *

Stanley Clarke Stanley Clarke (born June 30, 1951) is an American bassist, film composer and founding member of Return to Forever, one of the first jazz fusion bands. Clarke gave the bass guitar a prominence it lacked in jazz-related music. He is the first jaz ...

, '' Children of Forever'' (Polydor, 1973) *

, ''Ballads and Blues'' (Concord, 2002) * Charles Earland Tribute Band, ''Keepers of the Flame'' (HighNote, 2002) with Joey DeFrancesco *

Gil Goldstein Gil Goldstein (born November 6, 1950 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American jazz pianist and accordionist. He has won 5 Grammy Awards and he was nominated 8 time Biography He began studying accordion at age 5 after noticing it in The Lawrence We ...

, Randy Brecker, David Sanborn, Herbie Mann, John Patitucci, ''Disney Adventures in Jazz'' (Walt Disney K 2001) *

John Handy John Richard Handy III (born February 3, 1933) is an American jazz musician most commonly associated with the alto saxophone. He also sings and plays the tenor and baritone saxophone, saxello, clarinet, and oboe. Biography Handy was born in ...

, '' New View'' (Columbia, 1967) *

Jimmy Heath James Edward Heath (October 25, 1926 – January 19, 2020), nicknamed Little Bird, was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and big band A big band or jazz orchestra is a type of musical ensemble of jazz music that usually co ...

, '' The Time and the Place'' (Landmark, 1994) *

Woody Herman Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading groups called "The Herd", Herman came to prominence in the late 1930s and was active until his dea ...

, ''The Raven Speaks'' (Fantasy, 1972) *

, '' Get Up & Get It!'' (Prestige, 1967) *

Barry Miles Barry Miles (born 21 February 1943) is an English author known for his participation in and writing on the subjects of the 1960s London underground and counterculture. He is the author of numerous books and his work has also regularly appeare ...

, ''White Heat'' (Mainstream, 1971) * The Philadelphia Experiment (Rope-a-Dope, 2001) *

Lee Ritenour Lee Mack Ritenour ( ; born January 11, 1952) is an American jazz guitarist who has been active since the late 1960s. Biography Ritenour was born on January 11, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, United States. At the age of eight he started play ...

, ''6 String Theory'' (Concord, 2010) * Michael Sagmeister, ''Conversation'' (Acoustic Music, 2000) *

Sonny Stitt Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. (February 2, 1924 – July 22, 1982), known professionally as Sonny Stitt, was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of his ...

, ''

Night Letter A night letter is an unsigned leaflet distributed clandestinely. Afghanistan Night letters have been a tactic employed by the Taliban and other extremist groups in Afghanistan to intimidate supporters of secular government and education. Iran ...

'' (Prestige, 1969)

Bibliography

References

Other sources

*Marshall, Wolf (Winter 1991) Pat Martino. ''Guitar Extra'' Volume 1 No. 4. *Marshall, Wolf (November 2005) Pat Martino: Legend, Treasure, Inspiration. ''Vintage Guitar Magazine''.

External links

* *
Pat Martino
discography * *
''Martino Unstrung''
documentary about Martino
An overview of Pat Martino's guitar gear
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martino, Pat 1944 births 2021 deaths Guitarists from Philadelphia 20th-century American guitarists 21st-century American guitarists American jazz composers American male jazz composers American jazz educators American jazz guitarists American jazz musicians American people of Italian descent Hard bop guitarists Mainstream jazz guitarists Blue Note Records artists Muse Records artists Prestige Records artists Warner Records artists 20th-century American composers Jazz musicians from Pennsylvania American male guitarists Educators from Pennsylvania 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American male musicians People with hypoxic and ischemic brain injuries HighNote Records artists 20th-century jazz composers Cobblestone Records artists