Real Name: Joseph Anthony Passalaqua
Born: 13 Jan 1929
Joe Pass was a jazz guitarist born in New Jersey famous for his baselines and use of chord-melody styles. Joe, the famous jazz guitarist passed away on May 23rd, 1994 in Los Angeles California
Joe Pass parents were from humble beginnings and were not from a musical origin. His father, Mariano Passalacqua was a Sicilian-born steel mill worker from Pennsylvania.
After his inspiration from Gene Autry’s movie play as a guitar playing cowboy, his first guitar was that he received on his ninth birthday, a Harmony guitar model which was priced US $ 17. When he was just 14 years old, Joe Pass started playing with bands and performing in gigs showing off his guitar skills. He started traveling and playing with Tony Pastor band and Charlie Barnet band. However, after some years he got addicted to drugs and took a long time to come out of it from a rehabilitation program.
In the early 1960’s, Pass recorded some of his notable albums like “Catch Me”, “For Django” and “12-String Guitar”. After three years he received the “New Star Award” by the Downbeat Magazine and was also pictured in Pacific Jazz recording by Les McCann and Gerald Wilson. Joe Pass is also considered as an influential guitarist who mastered in solo performances. He was one of the legends in advanced linear techniques.
Some of his Solo Albums are listed below:
Blues for Fred
At Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux '77 - Live
I Remember Charlie Parker
Songs for Ellen
Joe pass guitar interludes psyche jazz lp
What Is There to Say
Unforgettable
University of Akron Concert
The Stones Jazz
Virtuoso
Virtuoso II
Virtuoso III
Virtuoso IV
Virtuoso Live!
Blues Dues