Pasquale is bassist Pat Senatore. His passion for playing jazz is evident in his distinctive warm
sound and the solid foundation he sets for this exquisite album of original tunes. The blend of timbres, rhythms and modal harmonies create a range of moods from mysterious to ethereal. The band is composed of world class jazz musicians: drummer Billy Higgins, pianist Billy Childs, and bassoonist Paul Hanson, Flautist Pedoro Eustache and trombonist Make Barone.
Looking back through layers of nostalgia, bassist Pat Senatore has vivid memories of growing up in a large, extended family in Newark, NJ. Although he studied violin for five years, his severe teacher nearly destroyed his love for music. Years later, while attending Arts High School -- along with childhood buddy Wayne Shorter and other famous alumnus as Sarah Vaughan and Woody Shaw -- Pat had to prove himself by marching in the school band with a baritone horn before his music teacher would give him the bass that he wanted.
After high school, Senatore hit the road, working with a series of big bands. Feeling the need for more formal training, he returned to school, attending Julliard School of Music on a partial scholarship. In 1960, he followed his dream and moved to Los Angeles. While waiting for the West Coast transfer from the Musician's Union, he was offered the job with Stan Kenton's band. During his nine months with the band, he recorded two albums for Kenton: Adventures In Blues and Adventures in Jazz for Capitol Records. At this time, his first son was born, whom he named Kenton. He named his other son Scott after his greatest influence and inspiration, bass player Scott La Faro.
Returning to Los Angeles, Senatore worked with the Dick Stabile Orchestra at the famed Coconut Grove. From there, Senatore joined the Les Brown Orchestra and went to Vietnam with the Bob Hope Show. Upon returning, he performed with two weekly television shows: The Bob Hope Show and Dean Martin Show. Soon after, he joined the original Tijuana Brass, recording nine albums, performing on all the major network shows, doing five TV Specials and numerous world tours, performing for huge audiences as well as Command Performances for President Johnson, the Queen of England and the King of Thailand.
For the next few years, he toured with such groups as Gabor Szabo, Carmen McCrae, Buddy Rich, Don Ellis, Hampton Hawes, Kai Winding, Anita O'Day.
In 1977, he followed another dream and opened his own jazz club, Pasquale's, with his wife Barbara on the beach in Malibu. With the waves crashing beyond the glass walls and celebrities often in attendance, Senatore formed with his own trio, which rotated such pianists as George Cables, Alan Broadbent, Larry Willis, Frank Collett, Roger Kellaway and Victor Feldman with drummers Roy McCurdy, Billy Higgins, Ralph Penland, Peter Erskine, Frank Severino. The format expanded to include top jazz soloists such as Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard and Joe Farrell, Frank Rosalino, James Newton, Joe Pass, Toots Thielmans, Art Pepper, Ernie Watts, Eddie Harris, to name a few.
Since closing the club, Senatore has been performing and composing. 1990, he recorded two volumes of the VIP Trio with Cedar Walton and Billy Higgins; Wave with Joannie Summers and the Brazilian All Stars for HI-BRITE record label. PASQUALE exposes his skill as a composer with Malibu, Neetan's Prophesy, and Roller Coaster. Here, Senatore reveals his romantic, Italian nature with his love for melodic phrasing. His great sense of jazz time and keen ear has made him valuable to any musical situation.
Ready to pursue the next dream, Senatore plans to travel to Europe and Asia, taking time to discover the places that he only glimpsed at while rushing to and from airports during the hectic pace of touring. He continues to study and to broaden his scope. He says, "it takes two or three life times just to scratch the surface in music and the challenge keeps me sucked in."
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