Pat Martino was born in 1944 in Philadelphia – that 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 no surprise that by age 20, Martino already had developed a mature style and begun forging his reputation as one of the most talented and exciting jazz guitarists of the late 1960s. Today, he still plays with the same fiery enthusiasm, having lost none of his talent for daring improvisations and hard–swinging grooves. In 2017, Martino released Formidable – his first studio recording as a leader in 11 years, its title an appropriate description of the guitarist's fearless and virtuosic playing. The album set some sturdy new original tunes (“On the Stairs,” “Homage”) alongside Pat’s soulful interpreta­tions of the Charles Mingus composition “Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love” 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 Jr. - drums Adam Niewood - saxophone Alex Norris - trumpet