Jazz Articles

John Bunch: The John Bunch Trio Plays the Music of Irving Berlin (except one)

by John Fidler
March 28, 2009

If it takes a while to notice that there's no drummer on The John Bunch Trio Plays the Music of Irving Berlin (except one), that's OK. Recalling the classic Nat King Cole Trio, Bunch's music embraces the same combination of tradition and freshness, of rock-solid technique and flight-of-fancy exploration. Tradition might be the watchword for this 12-song set from the American songbook, but how then could the austere yet fervid playing of two jazz veterans in their ...

John Bunch

by Laurel Gross
January 11, 2008

Pianist John Bunch has a lot of fantastic memories playing with such jazz luminaries as Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Eddie Condon, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa and as accompanist, musical director and conductor of major orchestras for Tony Bennett, but he recalls another “unforgettable" moment that wasn't so great.Even at 86 and still a working musician, that recollection smarts. The image that sticks in his mind, when he thinks about it, is the face of the rather ...

John Bunch: English Songbook

by Mark Corroto
October 25, 2003

An admitted supporter of free jazz and the avant guard of music, I felt like a lurker as I pushed the play button on jazz piano traditionalist John Bunch’s recording of the British songbook. After a couple of tracks, I was hooked and an instant fan of this octogenarian master.

Bunch, born in Indiana, began playing jazz before WWII and continued his career after a stint as a POW. His career took him from Woody Herman, Buddy Rich ...

Bunch, Pizzarelli & Leonhart: New York Swing

by Mike Neely
May 1, 2001

New York Swing is an exciting live trio recording featuring top-notch musicianship in an inspired performance. This is not “a pretty good recording for a live recording," this is an excellent recording, period. If you are not familiar with pianist John Bunch, this recording will place a new flicker in your musical sky. He is the musical leader of this threesome that includes ace guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, and an impressive Jay Leonhart on bass. Both Bunch and Leonhart have long ...