Jazz Articles about John Pizzarelli

About John Pizzarelli

Interview

John Pizzarelli: The Metheny Project

by R.J. DeLuke
May 3, 2021

Guitarist/singer John Pizzarelli has been a road warrior in a long career spanning some five decades. He's known for following in the footsteps of his father, the great jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, as a champion of the Great American Songbook working with classic jazz musicians and singers. He eventually became one of those singers that keeps classic works alive: a crooner, at times, who can also play music from well beyond the swing era. He cuts it as ...

In Pictures

John Pizzarelli Trio at Keystone Korner

by Mark Robbins
April 11, 2020

From 1972 to 1983 NEA Jazz Master's award recipient Todd Barkan operated San Francisco's Keystone Korner as one the preeminent jazz clubs in the country. Performers such as Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Betty Carter, McCoy Tyner and so many more played on the Korner's stage until, due to financial difficulties, Barkan had to close the club down. Then in 2019 Barkan, with Michelin-starred chef Robert Wiedmaier, revived Keystone Korner but this time in Baltimore's Harbor East. ...

Album Review

John Pizzarelli: For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute To Nat King Cole

Read "For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute To Nat King Cole" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
July 30, 2019

John Pizzarelli's fondness for the work of Nat King Cole isn't exactly a secret. He delivered two full-length tribute albums to that most-revered of figures during the '90s—Dear Mr. Cole (Novus, 1994) and P.S. Mr. Cole (RCA, 1999) —and he's continued to sing Cole's praises in the intervening years. Now, with the great pianist-vocalist's centennial upon us, Pizzarelli had good reason to produce this third salute, a pleasingly mature set honoring one of his prime influences and chief inspirations.

Live Review

Savannah Music Festival 2019

by Martin Longley
May 12, 2019

Savannah Music Festival Savannah, GA March 28-April 2, 2019 The opening day of this 30th edition of the Savannah Music Festival featured a pronounced bombardment of diverse artists, tearing apart the motor controls of the driven sonic obsessive. If a pair of ears lends equal attention to Louisiana zydeco, Saharan desert trance and bluegrass acoustic harmonising, then this Thursday evening abundance was gonna cause serious clashing conflicts. Where to be, without missing much of ...

Album Review

John Pizzarelli: Sinatra & Jobim @ 50

Read "Sinatra & Jobim @ 50" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
August 30, 2017

The year 1967...the “Summer of Love," the Monterey Pop Festival, the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely-Hearts Club Band, Their Satanic Majesties Request, and Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits. At the other end of the popular music spectrum, the beautifully square end, was the release of Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (Reprise), the recording that, with the Stan Getz/João Gilberto recordings of the period would justify and substantiate Bossa Nova in the American Musical Lexicon. Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli ...

New York Beat

John Pizzarelli Celebrates Sinatra-Jobim

by Nick Catalano
July 21, 2017

A few readers may recall a triumphant 1967 recording with Frank Sinatra singing and performing alongside legendary composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. The album, with arrangements by master arranger Claus Ogerman globally transported Brazilian music into stratospheric heights where it remains to the present day. To celebrate the album's semicentennial anniversary world-renowned singer/ guitarist John Pizzarelli is set to release Sinatra & Jobim @ 50. Performing with Pizzarelli is Jobim's grandson Daniel Jobim. The two have previously worked together ...

New York Beat

John Pizzarelli Soars at Birdland

by Nick Catalano
September 16, 2016

Wowing a late night crowd of worshipful fans at a packed Birdland, John Pizzarelli showcased his guitar mastery, vocal excitement, and hilarious patter this past Saturday night. Accompanied by his Swing Seven band of jazz all-stars, the scion of the famed New Jersey Pizzarelli clan (guitarist father Bucky will celebrate his 90th birthday this week at the Jazz Gallery) continued his world-renown jazz parade with a set featuring the work of legendary composers. Pizzarelli has performed in ...