Formidable is not only the title of Pat Martino’s new Highnote CD and his first studio recording as a bandleader in 11 years: it’s also an appropriate description of the guitarist's fearless and virtuosic playing. Born 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Pat thrived in this musical melting pot where so many jazz greats began their journey, among them John Coltrane, Benny Golson, Lee Morgan, and Jimmy Heath. So perhaps it’s of little surprise that by age 20, Martino already had developed a mature style and begun forging his reputation as one of the most exciting jazz guitarists of the late 1960s. Despite a setback in the form of memory loss caused by an aneurism, today, he still plays with the same fiery enthusiasm, having lost none of his talent for daring improvisations and hard–swinging grooves. Formidable includes some sturdy new original tunes alongside the legendary guitarist’s interpreta­tions of “Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love” by Charles Mingus) and Duke’s own classic “In A Senti­mental Mood.” “The road provided plenty of unexpected twists and turns in Martino’s six–decade musi­cal journey, yet he has emerged a veritable patriarch of jazz guitar, a fleet modernist who’s never forgot­ten his earthy roots.” (The New Yorker) Pat Martino - guitar Pat Bianchi - organ Carmen Intorre - drums Alex Norris - trumpet Adam Niewood - saxophone