I saw Joe pass in a small club in new Orleans in 1977. I may have been 20 feet from him or so as the place was small with tables. Amazing guy with a recognizable original style. Saw pat Martino in that same club another time. This was before his brain injury.
I used to be a wedding singer. I did a gig one night in a funciton room next to the jazz venue at the hotel where Joe Pass was performing that night.
I was out in the function room hallway on a break, when Joe walked over and we started talking. He said: “I’d love to come in and here you play.” I responded: “Well, you already missed the pre-diiner part where I played all the stuff that I’ve stolen off your recordings. From here on out it’s all dance music.”
He didn’t come in, and I was greateful, because I was in no way a guitar player in Joe Pass’ class, although I was in awe of just having the chance to engage with him even in that brief conversation. I would have been totally embarrassed to have him come in an listen to my playing. He was, and still is, one of my all time guitar heroes.