Pat Martino was a jazz guitarist who overcame amnesia after a 1980 surgery and relearned his instrument for a successful second career.
- Died: November 1, 2021 (Who else died on November 1?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in Philadelphia of chronic respiratory disorder at the age of 77.
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Interrupted musical career
Martino began performing professionally while he was still in his teens, and his early career included working with musicians including Lloyd Price and Willis Jackson. In his 20s, Martino started experiencing seizures caused by arteriovenous malformation. In 1980, one of these seizures nearly killed him, and he underwent emergency surgery to remove a large tumor. The surgery left him with amnesia and no recollection of his career or how to play guitar. He relearned the instrument and was able to recover his mastery of it, releasing his comeback album in 1987. Martino continued recording and performing for most of his life, receiving several Grammy nominations. In 2004, he was named Guitar Player of the Year by DownBeat magazine.
Notable quote
“Music is much more than just a craft. It’s the key to a doorway that leads toward betterment.” —from an interview for Play Jazz Guitar
Tributes to Pat Martino
Full obituary: The New York Times
