John Pizzarelli


John Paul Pizzarelli Jr. is an American jazz guitarist and vocalist. He has recorded over twenty solo albums and has appeared on more than forty albums by other recording artists, including Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Rosemary Clooney; his father, jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli; and his wife, singer Jessica Molaskey.
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Early life

The son of swing guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli was born in Paterson, New Jersey. He started on guitar when he was six and played trumpet through his college years. He attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School, an all-boys Catholic school. In his teens, he performed with Benny Goodman, Les Paul, Zoot Sims, Slam Stewart, and Clark Terry.
Pizzarelli attended the University of Tampa and William Paterson University, though he has said that his most important teacher was his father from 1980 to 1990. During the 1980s, he established himself as a jazz guitarist and a vocalist. He released his debut solo album, I'm Hip (Please Don't Tell My Father), in 1983.

Career

During the 1990s, Pizzarelli played in a trio with Ray Kennedy and Martin Pizzarelli, his younger brother. In the summer of 1993, Pizzarelli was the opening act for Frank Sinatra and four years later, Pizzarelli starred in Dream, a Broadway show devoted to the music of Johnny Mercer. He has named Nat King Cole as the inspiration for his career and honors that influence in the albums Dear Mr. Cole and P.S. Mr. Cole. He has also recorded tribute albums to Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Richard Rodgers, and Paul McCartney. He and his father accompanied Annie Ross on her album To Lady with Love, a tribute to Billie Holiday that Ross recorded when she was eighty-four.
He has hosted a national radio show, Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli, with his wife, singer and actress Jessica Molaskey. Other musicians he has worked with include George Shearing, Rosemary Clooney, Johnny Frigo, Buddy DeFranco, Jack Gibbons, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.
He sang the 1999 big-band jingle for Foxwoods Resort Casino, titled "The Wonder of It All."
Pizzarelli was a co-producer of the James Taylor album American Standard, which was nominated and won the Grammy in the category of "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" on November 24, 2020. During Covid, he recorded the album, Better Days Ahead.

Personal life

John Pizzarelli and his wife Jessica Molaskey own a vacation cabin overlooking Barrett Pond in Carmel, New York. They often co-host their syndicated radio show, Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli from the cabin and do much of their musical work there.
Pizzarelli's father died on April 1, 2020, from complications to COVID-19. Pizzarelli's mother died one week later on April 8, 2020.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

I'm Hip (Please Don't Tell My Father) Hit That Jive, Jack! Sing! Sing! Sing! My Blue Heaven All of Me Naturally New Standards Dear Mr. Cole After Hours Let's Share Christmas Our Love Is Here to Stay Meets the Beatles P.S. Mr. Cole Kisses in the Rain Let There Be Love Live At Foxwoods Resort Casino The Rare Delight of You with George Shearing Live at Birdland Bossa Nova Knowing You Just Friends with Rick Haydon Dear Mr. Sinatra with Clayton/Hamilton Jazz OrchestraWith a Song in My Heart Rockin' in Rhythm: A Tribute to Duke Ellington Double Exposure with Tessa Souter John Pizzarelli Salutes Johnny Mercer: Live at Birdland Midnight McCartney Sinatra & Jobim @ 50 For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole Better Days Ahead: Solo Guitar Takes on Pat Metheny Stage & Screen
With Bucky PizzarelliNirvana, Bucky Pizzarelli Contrasts Passion Guitars Twogether Around the World in 80 Years, Bucky Pizzarelli Generations Sunday at Pete's, The Pizzarelli Boys Pizzarelli Party, Arbors All Stars Diggin' Up Bones, Bucky Pizzarelli Desert Island Dreamers, The Pizzarelli Boys Back in the Saddle Again, Bucky Pizarelli Family Fugue
With Jessica MolaskeyPentimento A Good Day Make Believe Sitting in Limbo

As producer or co-producer

With James Taylor and Dave O'Donnell

As sideman or guest

With Monty AlexanderMy America
With Harry AllenAre You Having Any Fun? Harry Allen Meets John Pizzarelli Trio Tenors Anyone?
With Sam ArlenArlen Plays Arlen: The Timeless Tribute to Harold Arlen
With Debby BooneReflections of Rosemary
With Cheryl BentyneThe Book of Love
With Ray BrownSome of My Best Friends Are...Guitarists
With Rosemary ClooneyDo You Miss New York? Brazil
With Kristin ChenowethA Lovely Way to Spend Christmas
With Buddy DeFrancoCookin' the Books
With Karen EgertThat Thing Called Love
With Johnny FrigoLive from Studio A in New York City
With Natalie ColeStardust
With Sara GazarekBlossom & Bee
With Stephane GrappelliLive at the Blue Note
With Skitch Henderson and Bucky PizzarelliLegends
With Hilary KoleHaunted Heart
With Erich KunzelGot Swing! Christmastime Is Here
With The Manhattan TransferVibrate
With Paul McCartneyKisses on the Bottom
With Jane MonheitHome
With Rickie Lee JonesIt's Like This
With Donnie O'BrienMeets Manhattan Swing in a Basie Mood
With Curtis StigersReal Emotional
With James TaylorOctober Road A Christmas Album James Taylor at Christmas American Standards
With Aaron WeinsteinA Handful of Stars
  • ''Blue Too''