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
This is a tentative schedule as festival organizers expect additional artists, special guests and venue adjustments.
Thursday, November 3, 2022
GATEWAY PLAYHOUSE & LIVE STREAM (738 Bay Ave, Somers Point, NJ)
7:00PM WELCOME – Video Presentation and keynote speaker Bill Milkowski
7:10PM Howard Paul/Chico Pinheiro with Pat Martino’s Live at Blue’s Alley Rhythm Section Featuring Tony Monaco, Eric Alexander & Jeff “Tain” Watts
7:35PM Wolf Marshall with Tony Monaco & Jeff “Tain” Watts
Intermission
8:15PM The Fareed Haque Group celebrates the release of ‘Return to the Joyous Lake’
8:45PM Kenwood Dennard, original member of Joyous Lake, joined by The Fareed Haque Group and
Eric Alexander
9:00PM Lefteris Christofis Solo “Both Sides Now”
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
7:10PM Jim Ridl Quartet featuring Sheryl Bailey and Pat Martino Alumni: Byron Landham, Michael Pedicin & Steve Varner
7:35PM Joel Harrison performs Country Road with Jim Ridl
Intermission
8:15PM Russell Malone and Jimmy Bruno with Pat Martino Alumni Featuring Rick Germanson, Craig Thomas & Byron Landham
8:50PM Charlie Apicella Solo
9PM John Mulhern & David O’Rourke Duet
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
7:10PM The Pat Martino Quintet with Pat Bianchi, Carmen Intorre Jr., Alex Norris, Nicole Glover and Paul Bollenback performing the music of Martino’s final album Formidable (Hight Note Records).
Intermission
8:15PM The Pat Martino Trio with Carmen Intorre Jr. featuring:
Peter Bernstein
Barry Greene
Dave Stryker
Mark Whitfield
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