The Skip Grasso Trio presents a concert/lecture at An Die Musik Live! The trio is comprised of jazz guitar, organ and drums, and will feature Anthony Pocetti the keyboardist of The Jazz Ambassadors-the U.S Army’s premier Big Band stationed at Fort Meade, MD- playing a vintage Hammond B3 organ recently purchased from the esteemed Baltimore organist Greg Hatza by An Die Musik Live!. I will perform on guitar, and Greg Holloway will participate on drums.
Guitar virtuoso Pat Martino (born Patrick Carmen Azzara August 25, 1944) was a renowned and influential jazz guitarist who died at age 77 on November 1, 2021. He began his career playing in the organ trio of Charles Earland at age fourteen in 1960. He is also known for having had to completely relearn the guitar after suffering total memory loss caused by a brain aneurysm. Although Martino performed in many instrumental combinations, he often returned to the trio format of guitar-organ-drums. This includes his final recording Formidable (2017) with organist Pat Bianchi
As a performer, recording artist, and guitar teacher based in Baltimore, I have a deep connection with the jazz organ. When I began my performing career in Baltimore over thirty years ago many of the now defunct venues such as the “Sportsman’s Lounge” maintained a house organ which was used at performances and jam sessions. Most importantly, the organ is deeply rooted to the blues, gospel, and the music of the African American church. The Hammond organ- in contrast to the piano- stays in tune, is portable, and is equipped with foot pedals that could play low notes normally played by the upright bass. This allows for smaller sized groups i.e. duos and trio to perform in novel instrumentation.
The Skip Grasso Trio will perform a repertoire of jazz standards which Pat Martino recorded with organ such as “All Blues”, “Oleo”, and “Just Friends” as well as our original music influenced by him. The concert will be interspersed with short prepared remarks about Pat Martino, the use of the guitar and organ in jazz, and it’s connection to the history of jazz in Baltimore. The concert will be followed by a meet and greet with the artists. My future intent is to feature this organ group on my next recording.
Since the Jazz Preservation Act (JPA) in 1987, jazz music has been deemed a truly American art form worthy of preservation. Current research shows exposure to jazz performance when combined with education is a powerful medium for creating audiences. However opportunities to engage underserved audiences are sparse especially geographically and at an economical price. Inner city, rural, low income, and young people are deemed to be specifically underserved. With exposure, new audiences are very receptive. Direct interaction with audiences in the form of clinics, lectures, question and answer session are key in audience outreach. I am committed as a musician to embody and preserve the jazz tradition through my participation in these types of efforts in audience outreach.