SOUTH JERSEY JAZZ SOCIETY
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South Jersey Jazz Society presents a Celebration of Life and Legacy of the great jazz guitarist Pat Martino at this year’s Jazz @ the Point Festival, which runs from November 3 through 6 at Gateway Playhouse and Gregory’s Restaurant in Somers Point, New Jersey. Artists performing at the festival include influential musicians and jazz icons who have interacted with Martino throughout the guitarist’s illustrious career that spanned more than five decades before he passed away in 2021. Bill Milkowski, author of Pat Martino’s autobiography Here and Now!, will be the keynote speaker for performances at Gateway Playhouse. “The planned Celebration of Life and Legacy comes nearly a year to the day Pat passed away on November 1,” stated Joe Donofrio, artistic director, vice president and event producer on behalf of South Jersey Jazz Society. “It was not an ideal situation to try and gather musicians and audience during the past COVID cycle and look forward to recognizing and celebrating his genius with his many musical colleagues.” The Celebration of Life and Legacy will also be live-streamed Thursday, November 3 through Saturday, November 5, which will provide an opportunity for an international audience to engage. The in-person event is free for all attendees (live-streaming will $10 per day), accepting only free-will donations from those in attendance thereby exposing as many people as possible to the magic that was and is Pat Martino. Proceeds from this event will be shared equally with the estate of Pat Martino. Gateway Playhouse will administer general seating. Sponsors include OceanFirst Bank Foundation, Benedetto Guitars, Miner Family Winery, TrueFire, High Note Records, Just 4 Wheels, John Scarpa, UBS Financial, Dennisville Fence, Walt’s Original Primo Pizza, Ritala Associates and guitarist Peter Kuklen. This event is made possible in part through the New Jersey State Council of the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through the Local Arts Grant administered by Atlantic County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs. This program is made possible in part through the New Jersey State Council of the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts through the Local Arts Grant administered by Atlantic County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs. The producers wish to thank DL Media for their participation. GENERAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Thursday, November 3, 2022
GATEWAY PLAYHOUSE & LIVE STREAM (738 Bay Ave, Somers Point, NJ) GREGORY’S RESTAURANT (900 Shore Road, Somers Point, NJ) 9:45PM - ‘till: Late Night Hang Featuring Pat’s Longtime Hometown Friends. Bob Sterling, Rich & Rob Budesa, E. Shawn Qaissaunee, Michael Kraft, Geno White, John Mulhern & Richard Sheppard Friday, November 4, 2022 GATEWAY PLAYHOUSE & LIVE STREAM (738 Bay Ave, Somers Point, NJ)
7:00PM WELCOME - Video Presentation and keynote speaker Bill Milkowski GREGORY’S RESTAURANT (900 Shore Road, Somers Point, NJ) 9:00PM-closing: Late Night Jam Session with host Tony Monaco and Friends invite all attendees to an afterglow at the great neighborhood restaurant and bar Gregory’s for music and remembrance! Saturday, November 5, 2022 GATEWAY PLAYHOUSE & LIVE STREAM (738 Bay Ave, Somers Point, NJ)
7:00PM WELCOME - Video Presentation and keynote speaker Bill Milkowski GREGORY’S RESTAURANT (900 Shore Road, Somers Point, NJ) 9:00:PM - The Hang - An extended gathering of Pat’s friends! Sunday, November 6, 2022 GREGORY’S RESTAURANT JAZZ BRUNCH (900 Shore Road, Somers Point, NJ) Noon Until 3PM Howard Paul & Friends (Benedetto Guitars) perform during Brunch |
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We are so saddened to announce the passing of Patrick C Azzara (Pat Martino) on November 1, 2021. His legacy is a gift to us all, from the moment he first picked up the guitar to his last day on earth, Pat never wavered from his true calling. Condolences to his wife Ayako Martino . |
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Pat Martino Fund
Internationally beloved jazz guitarist Pat Martino (Patrick C. Azzara) has not worked since November 2018 due to severe health issues and his ability to keep financially afloat has been greatly impacted by his current disabilities. This legendary artist from Philadelphia has exhausted his savings and sees no other options before him other than to appeal to the larger community for help. He needs your donations and your good will to keep his household intact and pay medical bills while he concentrates on getting healthy. Click to read more and/or donate. |
