John Pisano

John Pisano has been called the "Godfather of jazz guitar in Los Angeles." Born in 1931 in Staten Island, John has established a reputation as one of the most respected and widely heard guitarists in the world, even if many people have never heard his name. John has recorded and performed with the likes of Joe Pass, Herb Ellis & The Tijuana Brass, Billy Bean, Chico Hamilton, Sérgio Mendes, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, and others among the best-known musicians of the 20th century, as well as composing several popular songs such as "So What's New" and "Felicia". John Pisano's Guitar Night was a weekly 'hang' in Los Angeles that ran for roughly 25 years, featuring some of the world's best known jazz guitarists, and it is there that the performances in this video were recorded (specifically at Vitello's Restaurant in Studio City).

This is a short, zero budget featurette I made in 2011 as an expression of appreciation and admiration for my teacher, friend and mentor. It touches on some of his history and approach to playing jazz guitar.