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Bucky Pizzarelli

For more than six decades, the legendary Bucky Pizzarelli has had a stellar career. “The complete jazz musician”, he was a fixture in jazz and the studios since the early ‘50s. The list of big bands and vocalists with whom Bucky has performed and recorded reads like a veritable Who's Who of Jazz. One of the era's most solid rhythm players, Pizzarelli was in high demand, playing and touring with Benny Goodman, Zoot Sims, Bud Freeman, and Stephane Grappelli, and, later, recording with George Van Eps, Carl Kress and George Barnes. His superior mastery of the seven-string guitar is unparalleled. The beloved guitarist has developed a very personal style that sets him apart. He lives in Saddle River, New Jersey, with his wife, Ruth.

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Radio & Podcasts

Jazz Life On The Road: Part 1

Read "Jazz Life On The Road: Part 1" reviewed by Monk Rowe


Musicians need gigs and they need to go anywhere they can find them. The “romance" of the road becomes realistic with tales from Bucky Pizzarelli, Kenny Davern, Carmen Leggio and Jimmy Lewis. ...

2
Album Review

Scott Whitfield & Friends: A Bi-Coastal Christmas

Read "A Bi-Coastal Christmas" reviewed by Jack Bowers


If trombonist Scott Whitfield's A Bi-Coastal Christmas cannot quicken your inner holiday spirit, that will not be for lack of trying. Whitfield uses every ribbon in the packet and every tool in the shed to help make the season bright, from big band to quintet, from duo to solo (Whitfield's trombone all by itself). Two of the selections were recorded in 2004, four others in 2005, whereas Whitfield's brace of solo tracks was taped in 2020 as he cast off ...

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Profile

Bucky Pizzarelli: Remembering Family Rhythms On The Roads Of New Jersey

Read "Bucky Pizzarelli: Remembering Family Rhythms On The Roads Of New Jersey" reviewed by Arthur R George


Guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, from 1926 to his passing at age 94 on April 1, lived his entire life in New Jersey, and had said that he couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Forget the turnpike jokes. Remember instead the nearness to jazz in New York, the closeness of family, shared driving in the New Jersey night, the miles that make a life. Formed by a World War II-era swing style, influenced by Django Reinhardt and Freddie Green, and the ...

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Radio & Podcasts

This Will Make You Laugh - Famous Jazz Fathers and Their Children

Read "This Will Make You Laugh - Famous Jazz Fathers and Their Children" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


The Fathers Day broadcast included new releases from Ayelet Rose Gottlieb, Roxy Coss, Anat Cohen and Camila Meza, with birthday shout outs to the songwriters Irene Higgenbotham, Ivan Lins and Cy Coleman, pianists Geri Allen, Monika Herzig and Daryl Sherman, vocalists Nancy King, Alicia Olatuja, and harpist Carol Robbins, among others. Plus we hear from some famous jazz Fathers and their children, along with a look at who played in town that week. Playlist Sue Maskaleris “The Big ...

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Profile

Bucky Pizzarelli: Dean Of The Seven-String

Read "Bucky Pizzarelli: Dean Of The Seven-String" reviewed by Elliott Simon


Close to 65 years ago a 17 year-old guitarist named John “Bucky" Pizzarelli was tapped by big band leader Vaughn Monroe to sit in for a weekend. As a result, the jazz world gained what was to become one of its most significant practitioners, one who continues to perform and share his wisdom with a modesty that belies his stature. Born in Paterson, NJ, Pizzarelli is part of a tradition of great guitarists from that state that includes Tony Motolla, ...

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Live Review

Bucky Pizzarelli Performing at the Smithsonian Under a Cloud

Read "Bucky Pizzarelli Performing at the Smithsonian Under a Cloud" reviewed by Erik R. Quick


The Statesmen of Jazz with Bucky Pizzarelli Smithsonian Jazz Café Washington D.C. April 6, 2007

Washington, D.C. consistently limps and trips from scandal to outrage. It is never surprising when yet another committee is formed to investigate the depths of the city's shallow political waters. The venerable Smithsonian Institution is not immune from such controversy. Although the rest of the country may think that the almost $700 million in annual government funding is utilized ...

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Film Review

Bucky Pizzarelli: Favorite Solos... Featuring Frank Vignola

Read "Bucky Pizzarelli: Favorite Solos... Featuring Frank Vignola" reviewed by Ken Dryden


Bucky Pizzarelli Favorite Solos... Featuring Frank Vignola Mel Bay 2005

Bucky Pizzarelli, a first call guitarist for decades, meets the young, versatile guitarist Frank Vignola on this studio session made for DVD. The veteran 7-string player, who previously recorded a duo session with Vignola for Hyena (Moonglow), has developed a distinctive sound that is quickly identifiable. Although a generation younger, Vignola, who is introduced by Pizzarelli as the “American version of Django," ...

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Event

Highlights In Jazz 45th Anniversary Gala Thurs., Feb. 22nd 8pm

Highlights In Jazz 45th Anniversary Gala Thurs., Feb. 22nd 8pm

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Thursday, February 22, 2018, at 8 P.M. featuring the Bucky Pizzarelli Trio with guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Martin Pizzarelli. Also Acclaimed Singer Allan Harris Plus a surprise special guest! Tribeca Performing Arts Center Borough of Manhattan Community College 199 Chambers Street New York, NY 10007 Box Office: 212-220-1460 Mark your calendar for other concerts scheduled for the 2018 Highlights In Jazz 46th season: Thursday, March 22, 2018, 8 P.M. The Millennials ...

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Event

Highlights In Jazz - 45th Anniversary Gala in New York City

Highlights In Jazz - 45th Anniversary Gala in New York City

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Announcing a lineup update: Vocalist Allan Harris tapped for opening concert, following the passing of the great Kevin Mahogany The Highlights In Jazz 45th Anniversary Gala launches the 46th season, Thursday, February 22, 2018, at 8 P.M., featuring the Bucky Pizzarelli Trio with guitarist Russell Malone, and bassist Martin Pizzarelli. Acclaimed singer Allan Harris just added to the gala lineup! Only at BMCC TRIBECA Performing Arts Center Borough of Manhattan Community College 199 Chambers Street

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Fuller, Jones and Wolf; "Swing Xing" with Bucky Pizzarelli; Jazz in Pink; and More

Jazz This Week: Fuller, Jones and Wolf; "Swing Xing" with Bucky Pizzarelli; Jazz in Pink; and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of jazz and creative music in St. Louis features two different all-star groups of visiting musicians, a return visit from one of the more prominent all-female ensembles in jazz, and a number of noteworthy shows from local bands and players. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, saxophonist Tia Fuller (pictured), who's in town for a Jazz St. Louis educational residency and weekend gig at Jazz at the Bistro, will present a free workshop and performance at Saxquest; ...

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Video / DVD

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: A Trip to "Swing Xing" with Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: A Trip to "Swing Xing" with Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

If you enjoy jazz guitar played in a traditional style, today's post might be right up your alley, as we feature not one, not two, but three guitarists - Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo - who will be performing together in a show called “Swing Xing: Three Generations of Jazz Guitar" next Saturday, November 15 at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Pizzarelli, who will turn 89 in January, is of course one of the elder statesmen on his instrument, ...

Video / DVD

Bucky Pizzarelli + Pearl Django

Bucky Pizzarelli + Pearl Django

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers


Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Bucky Pizzarelli and John Pizzarelli, Tatsuya Nakatani, Bhob Rainey, Dave Dickey Big Band, and More

Jazz This Week: Bucky Pizzarelli and John Pizzarelli, Tatsuya Nakatani, Bhob Rainey, Dave Dickey Big Band, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This weekend's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes a few final chances to hear some holiday jazz, as well as music from a famed father-and-son team of guitarists and two evenings featuring touring free improvisors. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli and John Pizzarelli open a four-night engagement at Jazz at the Bistro, continuing through Saturday.  While John Pizzarelli is a St. Louis favorite who has appeared here many times at the Bistro ...

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Performance / Tour

Bucky Pizzarelli Performs Live at Division Street Grill on January 2nd

Bucky Pizzarelli Performs Live at Division Street Grill on January 2nd

Source: PublicEye

Jazz Legend Bucky Pizzarelli Performs Live at Division Street Grill January 2nd 2010 at 7:30 and 9:30pm

Peekskill NY -- Jazz Legend Bucky Pizzarelli will keep the New Year's weekend celebration alive with his stellar jazz guitar performances at The Division Street Grill in Peekskill January 2nd 2010 at 7:30 and 9:30p.m. Jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli has played with everyone from Zoot Sims and Benny Goodman to Doc Severinsen on The Tonight Show, where he honed ...

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Performance / Tour

Seattle Times: Bucky Pizzarelli is a Jazz Guitarist for the Ages

Seattle Times: Bucky Pizzarelli is a Jazz Guitarist for the Ages

Source: Seattle Jazz Scene

In the post-bop world of jazz, the guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli is a novel concept. He is a jazz musician who remembers when his job description was to play dance music; he prefers to be a sideman and would sooner strum than pick; you would not call his style minimalist, but he understands getting more out of less, preferring elegance over speed. He is not without ego, but does not covet the title “composer" before his name. He is a classic, ...

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Festival

Jazz at the Center: A Celebration of Jazz in Historic Camden, SC - May 15 & 16, 2009

Jazz at the Center: A Celebration of Jazz in Historic Camden, SC - May 15 & 16, 2009

Source: All About Jazz

Ticket Outlets: Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County 810 Lyttleton Street, Camden, SC 803-425-7676, ext 300 Sims Music 1110 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 803-772-1185 Gibbs Guitars 505 Broad Street, Sumter, SC (803) 775-5195 Schedule subject to change Friday, May 15th

7:00 p.m. Opening Reception Wood Auditorium at the Fine Arts Center 810 Lyttleton St. (803) 425-7676, ext. ...

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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Bucky Pizzarelli

Jazz Musician of the Day: Bucky Pizzarelli

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Bucky Pizzarelli's birthday today!

JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY Bucky Pizzarelli

For more than six decades, the legendary Bucky Pizzarelli has had a stellar career. “The complete jazz musician”, he was a fixture in jazz and the studios since the early ‘50s... more

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“...moves effortlessly from the daunting format of the solo guitar to playing solid, swinging rhythm and single string solos.." RIVERWALK.ORG
Ron Jackson
guitar
Dennis Melillo
guitar and vocals
Graham Griffith
guitar, steel

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

A Bi-Coastal Christmas

Self Produced
2020

buy

Passionate Guitars

Chesky Records
2010

buy

Diggin' Up Bones

Chesky Records
2009

buy

Generations

Arbors Records
2007

buy

Moonglow

Hyena Records
2005

buy

Flashes: A Lifetime...

Arbors Records
2004

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Videos

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