San Diego has many wonderful musicians living in its midst, but few have had the impact on our local community as had saxophonist Joe Marillo, who passed away on March 26. He was far more than a musician; he was a catalyst, a promoter, bringing together musicians and music fans and in the process helping to create this city’s jazz scene. He was also a beloved teacher and mentor to hundreds of local musicians. It’s safe to say his legacy will live on in his recordings and filmed appearances but even more so in his students playing. Marillo moved to San Diego from his native New York in 1974, complete with an already impressive resume. Although known today for his love of jazz, early on Marillo played R&B, first in the Buffalo area with his own band, and then beginning in 1955 with Jimmy Cavallo & The Houserockers. It would be Marillo’s first taste of national fame as he and his band caught the initial wave of rock ’n’ roll and performed for legendary DJ Alan Freed, appearing in his 1956 movie, “Rock, Rock, Rock!” and scoring a recording contract with Coral Records, the same label as Buddy Holly, in the process. It didn’t take long after his arrival in San Diego for Marillo to become an integral part of the music community, booking national talent at the Catamaran and bringing jazz to venues such as La Jolla’s Elario’s and Chuck’s Steakhouse, helping establish music as a draw locally. He also released several albums on his own and with pianist Mike Wofford, as well as guesting with numerous locals, including playing on several abums by guitarist Buddy Blue, who even recorded a track, “The Joe Marillo Story,” on his 1999 album, “Dipsomania.” “I met Joe two years ago,” said Joe Flammini, owner of famed coffeehouse Java Joe’s, where Marillo held a residency. “He walked into Java Joe’s one day and said, ‘I want to play here.’ I agreed without even knowing who he was. He had that vibe.” He played a weekly afternoon gig. “I don’t remember which day it was, because he showed up five times a week to practice,” Flammini with a smile. “So every day was a gig for Joe. What did I enjoy about his music? It was his enjoyment when he nailed a song. Which he would often do.” Marillo was also a mainstay at local jazz venue Dizzy’s. “Joe loved everything about jazz, the history, the process, the practice and the presentation,” said owner Chuck Perrin. “It’s hard not to like someone as passionate about the music as he was.” “I got a chance to record Joe Marillo for Buddy Blue’s album, Dipsomania,” said producer Sven Erik Seaholm. “Buddy had gotten quite inspired by the idea that Joe was an amazing jazz musician whose genius had somehow not been given its due. So Buddy wrote a whole spoken word piece that pretty much hit the bullet points on Joe’s resume, including his appearance in the Alan Freed film and his tenure in Buddy’s own band some years later.” Blue called up Marillo and very respectfully asked if he would play his saxophone behind his words on the recording. “Not only was Joe totally on board with the concept, but his reply was so cool that Buddy added it into the piece word for word and had Joe speak it on the recording,” Seaholm recalled.
Violinist Jamie Shadowlight worked with Marillo in various projects for many years. “I loved his tone,” she said. “Strong and breathy and very much like Stan Getz. I most admired the fact that he was a totally unique human being, in every way. He was Joe Marillo and there is only one Joe Marillo, He lived outside of the system. He was a challenge and pleasure to work with, a lot of laughs, a lot of personality and a lot of helping others get their start. He was a true character. I met so many musicians through playing with Joe, most notably, Mikan Zlatkovich and Gilbert Castellanos. Joe was always giving people a chance to play.”
“He was history on the hoof,” noted Rebecca Zearing, owner of Rebecca’s Coffeehouse, where Marillo was a regular. “He spoke of Stan Kenton and Miles Davis as friends. He was like Jack on the old FBI TV show. No bull, just fact. He was a treat for me to talk to and if it was about music and history he was easy. I always loved him the most when he played his saxophone. It was rich, and the instrument looked heavy as heck,” she said. “When he played sax, he let go and went somewhere else, maybe to his younger days?”