John Pisano, doyen of the Los Angeles jazz guitar scene, handed away at his residence Could 2, on the age of 93. Throughout a seven-decade profession, he recorded and infrequently toured the globe with artists comparable to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Burt Bacharach, Natalie Cole, Peggy Lee, and Diana Krall, amongst many others. He additionally appeared in two main movement photos, Jazz on a Summer time’s Day and the basic The Candy Odor of Success with Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis.

A constitution member of Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass, Pisano composed the group’s hit “So What’s New?” and was the go-to man for the extraordinary Joe Move. Their 1964 album, For Django, was a harbinger of a number of subsequent recordings and culminated with Duets in 1991. Pisano additionally designed and endorsed guitars for the Eastman firm and different producers

Pisano was also known as “the godfather of jazz guitar,” and no different participant served because the lynchpin and touchstone for thus many necessary jazz and studio-caliber guitarists. For 22 years, he was the genius loci of Guitar Night time, a weekly occasion that not solely featured veteran gamers but in addition served as a right-of-passage for dozens of newcomers. Over the a long time, it showcased a who’s who of expertise together with George Van Eps, Pat Martino, Ted Greene, Laurence Juber, Lee Ritneour, Tim Could, Joe Diorio, Mitch Holder, Bob Bain, Herb Ellis, Pat Kelley, Sheryl Bailey, Barry Zweig, Al Viola, and Mike Anthony to call a couple of. Due to Pisano’s imaginative and prescient and perseverance anybody, for the value of a drink, might get pleasure from most of the world’s best jazz guitarists.

VG spoke with quite a lot of the business’s greats, who provided feedback and remembrances.

Lee Ritenour, the primary artist to look at Guitar Night time, mentioned, “We might all write a ebook about John. He had such an impression on so many people. He favored to joke that he was twice my age, and that was true on the first Guitar Night time at Donte’s in North Hollywood, once I was 20.

“Once I was 14, my dad would take me to listen to Joe Move with John taking part in the most-amazing rhythm guitar. Quickly after, I heard him with Peggy Lee and Lena Horne. Later, he really helpful me for each of these gigs, which was the start of my profession. His impression will reverberate over a lifetime. He influenced numerous guitarists. He’ll be cherished and missed.”

“John contributed extra to the development and publicity of the jazz guitar than anybody,” mentioned studio nice Mitch Holder. “He created a cushty state of affairs for veteran gamers in addition to any ‘new child on the block.’ John was a cheerleader for all and shall be remembered as among the finest guitarists of all time – and one of many nicest.”

“Once I was 18, I drove from my hometown of Tulsa to attend a five-day Howard Roberts seminar,” added Pat Kelley, veteran of George Benson and Natalie Cole’s teams. “Donte’s was additionally my vacation spot one evening, the place I heard John Pisano main his band and swinging like there was no tomorrow. He was 39, and little did I do know that, 50 years later, I might contemplate him one in all my closest pals. His 22-year run of Guitar Night time concert events, which I performed not less than 50 occasions, had been a present to me and your entire jazz guitar neighborhood. He was a real inspiration to all.”

“He was a patriarchal determine within the L.A. jazz guitar neighborhood,” mentioned Chris Standring. “It gained’t be the identical now that he’s gone.”

“His lovely help for Joe Move on For Django is a good instance of his distinctive capacity,” mentioned Adrian Ingram. “Those that knew or labored with John had been captivated by his heat persona. Guitarists had been all household to him, by no means rivals, and his passing leaves an unlimited void within the jazz-guitar fraternity.”

“There are such a lot of nice issues to say about John Pisano – nice guitar participant, and essentially the most gracious man ever,” mentioned Tim Could. “I’ll always remember the primary of many occasions I shared the stage with John. We performed the top of the primary tune, and as I started to solo, I used to be struck by John’s accompaniment. It felt like he was laying down a purple carpet to play over, it was so nice and galvanizing! John shall be sorely missed.”

Studio pianist Tom Ranier added, “Typically in life, the artist and their artwork are one and the identical. Their output is a direct reflection of their persona. The life and work of John Pisano’s music was lovely, delicate, fastidiously thought of and full of affection. His was a life properly lived, and the treasure he present in residing was immediately translated into his artwork.”

“I’ve identified John since I used to be 19,” mentioned his good good friend, bassist Chuck Berghofer. “My spouse and I had been married within the Pisano’s backyard, and John grew to become godfather to my daughter. I’ll at all times bear in mind his inspirational taking part in, beneficiant spirit, and nice friendship.”

This text initially appeared in VG’s July 2024 subject. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.