The John Pizzarelli Trio

Biography

John Paul Pizzarelli Jr., born on April 6, 1960, in Paterson, New Jersey, grew up immersed in jazz as the son of legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and Ruth Pizzarelli. Starting guitar at age six, he formed his first band, Emanon, in 1974, playing rock tunes like Edgar Winter's 'Free Ride,' while absorbing his father's influences. By his early 20s, he performed alongside Bucky, recording his debut vocal album I'm Hip (Please Don't Tell My Father) in 1983 with the Bucky Pizzarelli Trio, blending guitar prowess with emerging vocal talents inspired by bossa nova and standards[1][2][3].

Pizzarelli launched his solo career after My Blue Heaven in 1990, touring clubs and halls, opening for Dave Brubeck, Ramsey Lewis, and Rosemary Clooney. In 1992, he formed the John Pizzarelli Trio with brother Martin on bass and pianist Ray Kennedy (replacing Ken Levinsky in 1993), achieving breakthroughs like opening for Frank Sinatra's 1993 tour and performing at Sinatra's 80th birthday at Carnegie Hall. His style fuses cool jazz guitar, swinging standards from the Great American Songbook, and innovative takes on Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and bossa nova, with albums like Dear Mr. Cole (1994) and Bossa Nova (2004) showcasing his charm, humor, and spontaneity[1][2][3][4][5].

A Grammy winner as co-producer of James Taylor's American Standard (2021), Pizzarelli has recorded over 20 albums for labels like Chesky, Stash, RCA, and Telarc, starred in Broadway's Dream (1997), and co-hosts 'Radio Deluxe.' His legacy endures as a revivalist bridging classic jazz with contemporary audiences through TV appearances and fresh arrangements of Beatles, Joni Mitchell, and Paul McCartney tunes[3][4][5][6].

Fun Facts

• John's first band Emanon ('no name' backwards) gained family approval by covering Edgar Winter's 'Free Ride,' despite Bucky complaining about the volume[1].
• He balanced early jazz gigs with rock in Johnny Pick and His Scabs while holding a two-year Thursday residency at J's on Broadway[1].
• Sang 'I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do' with Bucky at Sinatra's 80th birthday Carnegie Hall tribute, 'bringing down the house'[4].
• Recorded a Covid-era guitar tribute Better Days Ahead to Pat Metheny[3].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Bucky Pizzarelli - Father and primary guitar influence, took him to gigs and taught techniques (I'm Hip (Please Don't Tell My Father) (1983), Swinging Sevens (1984), Sinatra 80th birthday performance) [1960s-1990s]
• Tony Monte - First professional hirer as pianist, helped transition to pro jazz career (Sing! Sing! Sing! (1987)) [1980s]
• João Gilberto - Stylistic influence on bossa nova guitar playing (Inspired early bossa nova explorations leading to Bossa Nova album) [1980s]

Key Collaborators

• Martin Pizzarelli - Younger brother and long-term trio bassist (John Pizzarelli Trio albums including Dear Mr. Cole (1994), ongoing tours) [1992-present]
• Ray Kennedy - Trio pianist since 1993, core member of the trio (Naturally (1992 onwards), For Centennial Reasons (recent)) [1993-present]
• Frank Sinatra - Opened for international tour and performed at 80th birthday (1993 tour dates in Germany and US, Carnegie Hall 1995) [1993-1995]
• George Shearing - Quintet-style standards recordings (The Rare Delight of You (2002)) [2002]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia