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.

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 1980–1990. During the 1980s, he established himself as a jazz guitarist and a vocalist. He released his debut solo album, I'm Hip , in 1983.

Career

During the 1990s, Pizzarelli played in a trio with Ray Kennedy and Martin Pizzarelli, his younger brother. In 1993, the trio was the opening act for Frank Sinatra. 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, 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."

Personal life

Pizzarelli's father died on April 1, 2020, from complications to Covid-19.

Discography

As leader

With Bucky Pizzarelli
  • Nirvana, Bucky Pizzarelli
  • Contrasts
  • 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
  • Passionate Guitars
  • Family Fugue
With Jessica Molaskey'
With Monty Alexander
With Harry Allen
With Sam Arlen
With Debby Boone
With Cheryl Bentyne
With Ray Brown
With Rosemary Clooney
With Kristin Chenoweth
With Buddy DeFranco
With Karen Egert
With Johnny Frigo
With Natalie Cole
With Sara Gazarek
With Stephane Grappelli
With Skitch Henderson and Bucky Pizzarelli
With Hilary Kole
With Erich Kunzel
With The Manhattan Transfer
With Paul McCartney
With Jane Monheit
With Rickie Lee Jones
With Donnie O'Brien
With Curtis Stigers
With James Taylor
With Aaron Weinstein