Seaside-bred gospel/jazz soprano saxophonist Patt Casion has led a rich musical life, from homegrown gospel music training to a degree from the country’s best jazz school – Boston’s Berklee College of Music – and a recording and performing career which has shown her the world.

Even without touring, her music has allowed her to travel, with stops in numerous genres – reggae, classical, jazz. “I’ve had the opportunity to play some of everything,” Casion says, “but I keep going back to that gospel/jazz kind of improv.”

This weekend it all comes back home. Members of her local extended musical family will throw her a public bash.

Afro-Cuban percussionist John Nava remembers meeting Casion decades ago in Seaside when they both were teenagers. He was struggling to learn sax.

“I was nervous to be playing next to her because she was amazing, even way back then,” Nava says. “She leaned over and said, ‘Hey, try this,’ and she played a line. So I copied it and then she said, ‘Now try this, and just put the two together.’ I did that and then she goes, ‘Now – just playyou.’ That opened me right up to what music was. I never forgot it.”

Casion’s main musical group IOC is, like jazz, a bit of structure and improv.

Playing Tribute

Friends of Patt Casion will pay tribute to the famed jazz saxophonist with a fundraising performance. Casion will bring her horn and perhaps join in. The well-traveled musician is battling cancer.

“IOC is not a band per se,” she says. “It’s a musical collective with a core of regular players and an ever-changing cast of terrific guest musicians.”

Although Casion is waging a battle with cancer, the event is not your usual fundraiser. “It’s atribute to someone who has touched so many in the local musical community,” Nava says.

Casion will bring her horn. “If I have the stamina, I might just play a song.” she says. “If not I’ll just be there to enjoy.”

A TRIBUTE TO PATT CASION 6pm Friday, May 25. Point Pinos Grill, 79 Asilomar Blvd., Pacific Grove. $22 includes buffet dinner, cash bar. 648-5774, eventbrite.com.

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