Guitarist Pat Martino began playing professionally at age 15. Martino played and recorded early in his career with musicians Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith.  His smooth sounds and bluesy style are influenced by his growing up in Philadelphia where the guitar/organ trio thrives. 

In 1980, Martino underwent surgery as the result of a nearly fatal brain aneurysm.  The surgery left him with amnesia, leaving him, among other things, without any memory of the guitar and his musical career. With the help of friends, computers, and his old recordings, Martino made a recovery [1], and learned to play the guitar again.