Losing a friend

Pat Demain passed away a few days ago, after many years of living with complications from Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

He was a great musician and an even better guy. Somehow, he reminded me of my dad - probably because they both lived in Hawai’i for important parts of their lives.

In January of 2018, I had the privilege of playing a show with Pat at the Super Summer Theater Studios. The show was called A Baby Boomers’ Toast to Broadway, and it featured Lee Sanpei on drums, as well as Pat’s wife, Joy, and the Giocomos, a family of star performers who’ve played houses all over, from Broadway to Las Vegas.

In doing just that one show, Pat taught me so much about music, and jazz, especially. He even gave me my first copy of The New Real Book, a must-have in every jazz musician’s library. I still use it today, and I cherish it as a symbol of Pat’s generosity, artistry, and friendship.

When I asked him about how he’d learned to be such a great musician, Pat told me about studying with Dick Grove at his School of Arranging (a very prestigious pedigree, to be sure), and writing music for local TV in Hawai’i. Pat was the first person to teach me about SMPTE code, which is used in film and TV music to synchronize music with video.

Pat was a brilliant arranger. As far as I know, some of his charts are still being played by the Hawai’i Symphony to this day.

About a year or so after the show we played together, my fiancé and I ran into Pat and Joy at one of our favorite local restaurants, and we ended up sharing a lovely meal together. I thought it was pretty funny how he and I had similar tastes in breakfast food.

I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the last time I would see my friend.

In the end, what I loved most about Pat wasn’t his musicianship - though I did say to myself, “Wow - I hope I can play jazz like Pat one day…”

No, in the end, what I loved most about Pat was simply that he was a great guy he was to be around - fun, genuine, and kind.

I’m so grateful for the time I spent with Pat, and I know I’m a better musician and a kinder person for it.

Thank you for everything, Pat. God bless you always.