Pat Matino Jazzman, guitarist Date of Birth: 25.08.1944 Country: USA

1. Pat Martino: The Sound of Soul and Energy
2. Early Life: Inspired by Jazz Giants
3. The Philadelphia Sound and Beyond
4. The Return and Beyond

Pat Martino: The Sound of Soul and Energy

Pat Martino, renowned jazz guitarist, showcased his signature sound in his electrifying album "Live at Yoshi's." Without grand embellishments or overdubbing, Martino took stage with Joey DeFrancesco on B-3 organ and Billy Hart on drums, compellingly capturing a live performance that exuded soul and energy. "Each of these songs recorded for 'Live at Yoshi's,' the renowned Philadelphia jazz club, has been performed as part of different projects over many years," said Martino. "I thought it would be interesting to record them all in one live show; taking them out of the past and into the present moment."

Early Life: Inspired by Jazz Giants

Born as Pat Azzara in Philadelphia in 1944, PAT MARTINO's journey into jazz began under the tutelage of his father, Carmen "Mickey" Azzara, a vocalist who sang at local clubs and had briefly studied guitar with Eddie Lang. His father introduced him to various events where he encountered jazz luminaries like Wes Montgomery. "I admired my father and wanted to make him proud. This ultimately led me to pursue playing and writing music seriously." Martino picked up the guitar at age 12, and upon graduating high school, devoted himself to music. During visits to his teacher, Dennis Sandole, he crossed paths with another prodigious student, John Coltrane, with whom he shared coffee and music discussions. Besides first-hand teachings from 'Trane and Montgomery, whose album "Groove Brothers" greatly influenced him, Martino cites Johnny Smith and Stan Getz as early inspirations. "To me, he knew everything there was to know about music," Martino recalled.

The Philadelphia Sound and Beyond

Martino became an active figure in Philadelphia's burgeoning rock scene, alongside stars like Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, and Bobby Darin. His first touring gig was with jazz organist Charles Earland, a high school friend. His reputation soon spread among jazz circles, and he was tapped by bandleader Lloyd Price to tour on hits like "Stagger Lee" with musicians Slide Hampton and Red Holloway. Martino then ventured to Harlem to immerse himself in the soul-jazz pioneered by Earland and others. "Previously, I was exposed to the white man's approach to jazz. I had never heard this other side of its culture," he recalled. The organ trio concept profoundly influenced Martino's rhythmic and harmonic approach, becoming a signature outlet for his playing alongside the likes of Jack McDuff and Don Patterson. At the age of twenty, he signed as a leader with Prestige Records. His groundbreaking albums of this era, such as "Strings!", "Desperado", "El Hombre", and "Baiyina (The Clear Evidence)", were among the first successful jazz explorations into psychedelia.

The Return and Beyond

In 1976, Martino began experiencing debilitating headaches that were diagnosed as an aneurysm. After treatment and recovery, he resumed his career in 1987 with a New York performance that was aptly released as "The Return." Another hiatus ensued due to his parents' illnesses, and he did not record again until 1994's "Interchange" and "The Maker." Today, Martino resides in Philadelphia and continues to evolve as a musician. As the New York Times recently noted, "Mr. Martino is back, pursuing new musical directions and adding new dimensions to his personal legend." He experiments with guitar synthesizers, a practice rooted in his rehabilitation journey, opening up the possibilities of orchestral arrangements. Musicians flock to him for lessons, and he imparts not only musical knowledge but also the philosophical insights of someone who has faced adversity and emerged triumphant. "The guitar is not that important to me globally," he contemplates. "The people are more important. I'm eternally grateful for all those who stuck with me. The guitar is just the vehicle."