Jazz guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is
a technically proficient fretman with a soft voice, charming stage
presence, and knack for uptempo swing. Most often performing in
a trio setting sans drums, Pizzarelli has found his niche covering
jazz standards and American Popular Song in his own urbane style.
The son of journeyman swing guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, John began
performing with his father at age 20 and made his recorded debut
with his 1983 release, I'm Hip -- Please Don't Tell My Father.
Growing up, John was exposed to the music of such jazz luminaries
as Les Paul and Django Reinhardt, and he has justifiably drawn
comparisons to both of these legendary guitarists.
Pizzarelli's updated old-school sound caught the ear of many
jazz purists early on; notably, in 1993 the John Pizzarelli
Trio opened various dates on Frank Sinatra's tour, eventually
participating in the legendary vocalist's 80th birthday celebration
at Carnegie Hall. Interestingly, Pizzarelli's growing popularity
garnered him a lead spot in the 1997 Broadway production of
Dream, a tribute to composer Johnny Mercer. His 1998 RCA release,
Meets the Beatles, found him reinterpreting classic songs by
the iconic Liverpool quartet, while the following year he paid
tribute to one of his biggest influences, pianist/vocalist Nat
King Cole, on P.S. Mr. Cole. Pizzarelli then signed with the
Telarc label in 1999 and released two standards-based albums,
Kisses in the Rain and Let There Be Love, in 2000.
Since then, he has recorded an album with pianist George Shearing
and celebrated ten years of performing with his trio by releasing
the concert album Live at Birdland in 2003. Taking a break from
swing, Pizzarelli released Bossa Nova in 2004. Largely featuring
the works of Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, the album
showcased the Pizzarelli Trio on such classics of the genre
as "The Girl from Ipanema" and "Aguas de Marco
(Waters of March)." In 2005 Pizzarelli returned to his
usual fare of American standards with Knowing You (though he
penned the title track), and backed by the Clayton-Hamilton
Jazz Orchestra, paid his tribute to the legend himself with
2006's Dear Mr. Sinatra. With a Song in My Heart featuring the
songs of composer Richard Rodgers followed in 2008.
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