Pat Longo

b. 11 September 1929, Passaic, New Jersey, USA. Adept on several reed instruments, Longo concentrated on alto saxophone and clarinet. During military service he played in the band of the 2nd Marine Airwing and following his discharge studied music full-time. Although intent on a career in music, throughout the 60s and into the early 70s Longo found it necessary to support himself by working in a bank. However, in 1974 and resident in Los Angeles, he decided the time was right to give up banking and just play music. He joined the Harry James band but had ambitions to lead his own big band. In 1979, he achieved his goal and formed a big band which quickly gained regular bookings in and around LA. In the late 70s and early 80s Longo’s Super Big Band successfully blended the more traditional aspects of big band music with currently popular jazz rock funkiness. His line-ups usually featured many of the best west coast session men and a useful handful of talented jazzmen, including Gordon Brisker, Lanny Morgan, Bob Efford, Buddy Childers, Frank J. Szabo and Nick Ceroli. Intent on developing other areas of exposure for the band, Longo also became involved in a television series.

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