Rolling out the barrel: Winifred Atwell tribute on the way from Adam Fairhall and Johnny Hunter

1950s era Trinidadian pianist Winifred Atwell (1914-83) is the focus of a fascinating new tribute by avant pianist and drummer duo Adam Fairhall and Johnny Hunter to be released in early-2022. A huge recording star in the 1950s but now largely overlooked Atwell's music brought together aspects of the honky tonk piano craze sweeping America with the music hall and pub piano traditions of Britain, say issuing label Efpi. The germ of the project took off following a conversation Adam had with Birmingham promoter Tony Dudley-Evans that led to Adam rendering 'If You Knew Susie' in performance and then delving deeper and the duo debuting their in depth study two years ago at the Manchester Jazz Festival followed by recording earlier this year. 'Black and White Rag' by George Botsford is on the record which Atwell recorded for a B side in 1952 and remarkably became a million seller becoming very familiar as the TV snooker programme Pot Black theme tune. Also included is 'Roll Out the Barrel' (also known as 'Beer Barrel Polka') written in the 1920s, Atwell recording the singalong as part of a medley that went into the top 10 of the pop charts in 1956. Dates coming up are the Yard, Manchester on 15 November; Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham, 25 Nov; Seven Arts, Leeds, 28 Nov; Cambridge Unitarian Church, 4 December; Ashburton Arts Centre, 5 Dec; JATP Jazz Bradford, 7 January 2022; Cafe Oto, London 9 Jan. Johnny Hunter and Adam Fairhall, top

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One of the greatest virtuoso guitarists in jazz Pat Martino has died at the age of 77. News of his death was announced on social media by his manager Joe Donofrio of Donofrio Productions who wrote that the guitarist died today writing ''His legacy is a gift to us all, from the moment he first picked up the guitar to his last day on earth, Pat never wavered from his true calling. Condolences to his wife Ayako Martino.''

Martino (born Pat Azzara) made a remarkable comeback to playing after suffering in 1980 a severe brain aneurysm and undergoing surgery after being told that his condition could be terminal. He had to relearn everything after he recovered and played again to acclaim. Born in Philadelphia, his father Carmen "Mickey" Azzara sang in local clubs and took his son to hear and meet Wes Montgomery and John Coltrane among others and Pat began playing as a young teen. He gigged with jazz organist Charles Earland and Lloyd Price and later moved to Harlem playing soul-jazz with Jack McDuff and Don Patterson then signing as a leader for Prestige recording such albums as Strings!, Desperado and El Hombre . Later in his career he was Grammy-nominated for Live at Yoshi's and Think Tank and soloing on 'All Blues' and 'Africa' among other honours. Tributes online include this from local Philly jazz club Chris' Jazz Cafe: ''It is with great sadness to hear the news of Pat Martino's passing. As one of the first musicians inducted into the Chris' Jazz Cafe Hall of Fame, he was a beloved member of our jazz family. We will miss him and the beautiful music he brought to the club.''

Rolling out the barrel: Winifred Atwell tribute on the way from Adam Fairhall and Johnny Hunter

Jazz guitar great Pat Martino has died at the age of 77