Pat Senatore is the Artistic Director of Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz in Bel Air. He performs regularly and recently released Ascensione on Fresh Sound Records. This CD was created over the past few years with his trio that includes Josh Nelson on piano, Mark Ferber on drums, and Mark Ferber on bass. Senatore seemed to be destined to become an artist. It is in his blood. His father grew-up in Compania, Italy singing Neapolitan songs in theaters. Pat grew up playing the violin in his family’s tradition. However, it wasn’t until he started playing the bass and saw Scotty La Faro that he knew he wanted to become a jazz musician. He was so passionate about jazz that he quit the Julliard School of Music after just two years. It didn’t recognize jazz at the time. He moved his studies from the classroom to the rhythm section in various big bands. Stan Kenton Orchestra took him on tours across the country. He recorded Adventures in Blues and Adventures in Jazz for Capitol Records during his time with Kenton. He moved from Newark, New Jersey, to Los Angeles, California. He was happy to remain in his new home and work at the Coconut Grove with the Dick Stabile orchestra. He joined the Les Brown Orchestra, and went to Vietnam along with Bob Hope. After his return, he performed on two weekly television programs: The Bob Hope Show (and the Dean Martin Show). He met Herb Alpert, who invited him to join the original Tijuana brass. They recorded nine albums in five years. They performed on all major networks including Ed Sullivan Show. Senatore performed with many artists, including Peggy Lee and Louis Belson, Buddy Rich as well as Anita O’Day and Gabor Szabo. Music is in Senatore’s DNA, but so is being an impresario. He dreamed of being a musician in the pizzeria that his father had built in their garage as a child. Over the years, that vision developed and Pat and Barbara opened Pasquale’s Jazz Club on Malibu’s beach. Senatore performed with his own trio that included George Cables and Larry Willis, Roger Kellaway and Victor Feldman, along with Ralph Penland and Roy McCurdy. To name a few, the format was expanded to include top soloists such as Joe Henderson and Bobby Hutcherson. Frank Rosalino. Toots Thielmans. Toots Phielmans. Art Pepper. Ernie Watts. Freddie Hubbard. Eddie Harris. Senatore is a master at combining the right players. Senatore was the first to combine Joe Farrell and Freddie Hubbard. Senatore has been a performer on many films/TV movies over the years.
