In late September, jazz pianist John Alaimo was airlifted to a Boston hospital with a sudden illness. He returned home to Oak Bluffs with Holly on Nov. 20, to Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard. On Dec. 20, 2021, John died at home, with his wife and children at his side.
John, an only child, was born in Boston on April 10, 1940, to Suzanne and John Alaimo Sr., a world-traveled musician. As a young boy, he studied piano with Moe Soloman, an inspiring local piano teacher. By 1954, the 14-year-old was playing professionally around the Boston area. At 18, on John’s first day at a summer job, an industrial accident took four fingers off his right hand. Thinking he would never play piano again, he shifted to playing trumpet, and arranging and composing music. He studied music at Boston University, Berklee College of Music, and Boston Conservatory, where he also played the cello. John’s student, handwritten musical arrangements, known as charts, were used by Berklee teachers for more than 20 years.
John moved to L.A. to work as a music arranger for big bands, and taught music theory and counterpoint. While recording at the world-famous Lighthouse on Pier Avenue on Hermosa Beach, he became friends with jazz great Hampton Hawes. Hawes encouraged John to return to piano with six fingers. Within a matter of months, Alaimo was back to mastering his favorite instrument. His knowing which notes are essential, and playing from his heart, have inspired others with obstacles to follow their dreams.
John also met Holly (Ellen) Shanks, a traveling artist from Philadelphia, in Hermosa Beach. Together in the mid-1960s they set off for San Francisco, marrying along the way. The Alaimos soon moved back to the East Coast and started a family; first came Naaron, then Jessamin. Their whirlwind romance lasted more than half a century.
John initially worked at Boston’s World Star Productions arranging music under contract for recordings. In the 1970s and 1980s, he worked in the Boston area for Polaroid Corp. during the week, and played weekends for 25 years with drummer Bunny Smith and Friends at the Cambridge bar the Plough and Stars on Massachusetts Avenue and Inman Square’s famed 1369 Jazz Club. During a Poloroid business trip to the Netherlands, John spent nights and weekends sitting in at jazz clubs with local musicians. Whenever Bunny Smith and Friends played on Martha’s Vineyard, John realized how much he wanted to move there with Holly after their kids were grown.
In the mid-1990s, resettled on the Island, the Alaimos shaped an empty storefront on Dukes County Avenue across from the old firehouse in Oak Bluffs into Holly’s Dragonfly Gallery, which soon became a cornerstone of the Oak Bluffs Arts District. John, free to focus on his music vocation full-time, quickly became an integral part of the Island’s jazz scene. He worked with bandleader and bassist Jimmy Burgoff when Burgoff still lived on Martha’s Vineyard, and attributes his many years of solo playing to fellow Islander and pianist Jeremy Berlin, a great inspiration. Alaimo’s three-concert solo tour in France was triggered by a French national radio broadcast about his personal story as a musician, featuring recordings of John’s unique style of jazz piano. The Vineyard-based John Alaimo Trio, with a jazz repertoire of more than 300 tunes and numerous CDs, featured John on piano, Mike Tinus on bass, and Tauras Biskis on drums. John played his last gig at an event on Sept. 11 held at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs.
John Alaimo is survived by his wife, Holly; Naaron and Jessamin, his children; and grandchildren Malcolm and Mallory DeFeo, and Andrea and Annalise Alaimo.
A celebration of John’s life will be held in spring 2022.
Tribute donations for John Alaimo may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard via mail at P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or online at hospiceofmv.org/donations.
Always had a smile, a kind word, and a stretched-out diminished 7th on the left end.
A good man, and a very cool cat who will be missed by many, on Martha’s Vineyard and beyond.
RIP, John.
John Alaimo was such a very wonderful man, and my friend for nearly 50 years, I think. He and his wife Holly have brought so much to the Island and to Oak Bluffs in particular. We will all grieve John, the gentle, quiet superb musician and human being that he was. Rest in peace, John.
A very kind artist. Rest in peace
I always seemed to run into John at the post office and we managed to catch up on everything while exchanging no more than a few words. John did most of his talking at the keyboard. What a musician he was! But more than all that, what a husband (to Holly) and father!
What an amazing guy, and a superb musician. So sorry to learn of his passing.
My heart is breaking! Can’t imagine a world without John’s dear presence and his music. He improvised a jazz piece (“The Guy in the Suit”) for pastor/drummer Ken Miner’s memorial service. He will never be forgotten!
Oh wow, I’d forgotten that! Thanks for the reminder.
What a lovely man and beautiful musician. I am saddened by this loss and my heart goes out to to Holly. Together, they made the institution of marriage look really good!
Sorry about John,,,Holly and Family,,very sad..He was a Pleasant man,,always nice to me….I was glad to know him..Thinking of John and the Family…..Angelo DiMeglio..
I remember being in the Dragonfly once and two women were raving about the piano music which they assumed was coming in over the radio. They turned the corner to ask the owner about the radio station which revealed John Alaimo playing piano. John flashed his signature smile, and the women were delighted to discover the live source of the wonderful music. John made magic happen wherever he went. He was both an inspiration and a supremely talented musician. His music and his legend live on. RIP
So sad to hear of John’s passing. He was an extraordinarily talented musician and genuine, personable gentleman who loved to entertain anywhere on the Island. Listening to his CD “Season’s Greetings” has always been a favorite, even more so at this somber time. My condolences to his wife & soulmate, Holly, and his extended family.
So sorry to hear about John’s passing. He was certainly a talented jazz musician. I always enjoyed listening to him when he played at various island venues and events. My condolences to Holly and his family.
Holly I was so saddened to hear of the loss of your soul mate and love of your life, John. Naaron, Andrea and Annalise my sincere condolences. I only met Holly and John once, but his larger than life personality impressed me so much. When he found out I treated cancer patients he gave me a few of his CD’s and we played them often for the patients while they were having their treatments. His music brought peace to them during a difficult time.
Hugs and peace
John was a wonderful person. He and Holly gave so much to the neighborhood! they lived around the corner from my mother, their place was beautiful. So talented, a shinning star in the neighborhood. My condolences. A sad loss.
I met John when I lived on island in the 90’s. There was nothing quite like the Wintertide Coffeehouse and John Alaimo on piano. Such a magical touch in both life and the keyboard. An elegance not found often. My deepest condolences to his wife Holly and extended family and friends.
Holly and family. So sad to hear the news about John. He was such a pleasant dinner companion amid all the “ art talk”. He was such a joy musically and socially. He will be sorely missed.
Greg Lakin
Such a great loss. John was an incredible musician and a gentle man. He will be missed. Our prayers go out to Holly and the family.
My deepest sympathies to Holly and your entire family. John touched our lives (my wife Candee and myself) on one fall evening in October 1997 when we hired John to play a cocktail hour before the Bluefish played at our wedding. John’s music was classy, smooth and inspiring. It’s important to know that John touched many, many lives with his music and his legacy will be a lasting one.
I’m so very very sad to learn of John’s passing. We became friendly when Holly opened the Dragonfly gallery in our neighborhood and I worked at Farm Neck where John would bless us with his playing during evening service. He actually learned my parents song so when they walked in to eat, he would play it. Such a sweet and kind soul, he always had a smile on his face. Such a wonderful talent for us to have on MV, he will be sorely missed. Much love to Holly and the family. xoxo
Holly, Shelley and I are so sad for you and your family. John’s music was as beautiful as his soul. We are thinking of both of you this Christmas.
Dear Holly
I was so saddened to hear about John’s death. John was one of the kindest, soft spoken men I have known. He gave so much to this community. I send you my loving prayers and may his memory always be a blessing for you and all who loved and knew him
Sally
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