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John Pizzarelli

World-renowned guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli has been hailed by the Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz.” The Toronto Star pegged him as “the genial genius of the guitar.” And the Seattle Times saluted him as “a rare entertainer of the old school.”

Established as one of the prime contemporary interpreters of the Great American Songbook, Pizzarelli has expanded that repertoire by including the music of Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Antônio Carlos Jobim and the Beatles. His themed shows, often performed with his wife Jessica Molaskey, suggest there is no limit to Pizzarelli’s imagination or talent.

The New York Times called their recent “My Generation” show “brilliant,” raving the couple “embrace the present, or what used to be the present, and reflect on the passage of years. Like all of their shows, ‘My Generation’ is deeply felt. You have a strong sense that they are baring their personal struggles and resetting their compasses as they go forward.”

An earlier rave from the Times noted, “The ability to infuse pop and jazz with a Chekhovian wisdom about life’s ups and downs is the special gift of John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey, long-married musical partners whose work gets deeper each year.”

Having concentrated on the music of Paul McCartney, Johnny Mercer and Frank Sinatra over the last two years, Pizzarelli has returned to the bossa nova of Antônio Carlos Jobim with his July 28, 2017 Concord Jazz release Sinatra & Jobim @ 50. With co-vocalist Daniel Jobim, grandson of the legendary Brazilian composer, the two explore songs Sinatra and Jobim recorded in 1967 and 1969 as well as add new songs to the mix flavored with the spirit of the classic Francis Albert Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim album.

For an artist The New York Times calls “one of the foremost interpreters of Jobim’s bossa nova classics,” the step was natural.

“We had a very successful run in Brazil [in 2016] and my manager said you should think about making another Brazilian record,” Pizzarelli says referring to his 2004 release Bossa Nova. “I looked around at what would make sense in terms of an anniversary.”

Homing in on the Sinatra-Jobim sessions, John says, “We had an advantage: Daniel had performed a number of those things with us at the Café Carlyle two years earlier.” Like Sinatra and Jobim, who started their sessions in January 1967, Pizzarelli and company were finished in three days of recording—in January 2017.

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Live Review

John Pizzarelli Live at Scullers Jazz Club

Read "John Pizzarelli Live at Scullers Jazz Club" reviewed by Doug Hall


John Pizzarelli Scullers Jazz Club Debut of new album Stage & Screen Cambridge, MA June 2, 2023 With an evening dedicated to the American Songbook, acclaimed jazz guitarist and vocalist, John Pizzarelli, performed with his jazz trio at the intimate cocktail-lounge setting of Scullers Jazz Club for a small but dedicated audience. Pizzarelli was set to play selections from his new release, which he is touring on, Stage and Screen (Palmetto Records, 2023). This ...

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Album Review

John Pizzarelli: Stage & Screen

Read "Stage & Screen" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli's Stage & Screen salutes songs from Broadway and Hollywood. However, there is also a subtext in five songs on the track list in which “time" is featured either prominently or covertly, as it deals with love lost, found, unrequited or déjà vu. In this recital, Pizzarelli is joined by bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson as they work smoothly together to trace the harmonic seams and essence of each tune. The ...

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Album Review

John Pizzarelli: Stage & Screen

Read "Stage & Screen" reviewed by Steve Monroe


Evoking heartfelt memories of love and longing, sunshine, laughter and more, vocalist/guitarist John Pizzarelli's Stage & Screen delivers vibrant interpretations of classic songs from Broadway and Hollywood. The album provides not only nostalgia and hopeful vibes, but what amounts to orchestral artistry by Pizzarelli, pianist Isaiah J. Thompson and bassist Mike Karn as a bonus. Pizzarelli, a Grammy award winner and long an internationally acclaimed performer and entertainer, has been credited as being a prime interpreter of the Great American ...

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Album Review

Ann Hampton Callaway: Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration

Read "Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


Peggy Lee was a remarkable singer and songwriter, but to some listeners, deeply enigmatic. Her time, often well behind the beat, conveyed a subtle sense of irony. “Are you getting this?" she sometimes seemed to say, “or am I going too fast for you?" She could be exuberant and world weary almost in the same breath. It was seemingly up to the audience to decipher her meaning. Lee could convey expectation and experience simultaneously, as in her version of “Folks ...

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Album Review

John Pizzarelli: Better Days Ahead: Solo Guitar Takes on Pat Metheny

Read "Better Days Ahead: Solo Guitar Takes on Pat Metheny" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


Only two things are required to enjoy this recording: a love of beautiful compositions, and an affection for inspired playing. If you are a fan of Pat Metheny or John Pizzarelli, “Better Days Ahead" will be rewarding in ways not accessible to a more casual or less informed listener. On the other hand, if you have spent an evening listening to classical, and especially, to Spanish guitar, or if you think you do not like jazz, you owe it to ...

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Interview

John Pizzarelli: The Metheny Project

Read "John Pizzarelli: The Metheny Project" reviewed by R.J. DeLuke


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 ...

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In Pictures

John Pizzarelli Trio at Keystone Korner

Read "John Pizzarelli Trio at Keystone Korner" reviewed by Mark Robbins


From 1972 to 1983 NEA Jazz Master's award recipient Todd Barkan operated jny: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 jny: Baltimore's Harbor ...

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Recording

Acclaimed Guitarist/Vocalist John Pizzarelli Celebrates The 40th Anniversary Of His Debut Album With A Collection Of Classic Songs From Broadway And Hollywood

Acclaimed Guitarist/Vocalist John Pizzarelli Celebrates The 40th Anniversary Of His Debut Album With A Collection Of Classic Songs From Broadway And Hollywood

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

US / Canada Tour Begins April 25 in NYC with a week at Birdland World-renowned guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli has dedicated many of his albums to the great songwriters and performers who have helped to establish the Great American Songbook and the pop music canon: Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, Richard Rodgers, and Duke Ellington, to name a few. With his new album, Pizzarelli and his remarkable new trio cast a wider net to explore other sources ...

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Recording

John Pizzarelli Plays Pat Metheny

John Pizzarelli Plays Pat Metheny

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

This album shouldn't work. One superb artist recording the music of another usually happens many years after the subject has passed away. But John Pizzarelli's new album, Better Days Ahead: Solo Guitar Takes on Pat Metheny, works beyond your wildest dreams. It's as if John said to himself, “Why not now?" And he's right. The idea of taking on Metheny's compositions and doing so alone is about as beautiful a tribute as one can imagine. Add the fact that John ...

Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Catherine Russell & John Pizzarelli pay tribute to "Billie & Blue Eyes"

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Catherine Russell & John Pizzarelli pay tribute to "Billie & Blue Eyes"

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Today, StLJN's video spotlight shines on singer Catherine Russell and singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli, who are coming to St. Louis to present their show “Billie & Blue Eyes" starting Wednesday, May 22 through Sunday, May 26 at Jazz St. Louis. Both Russell and Pizzarelli are well-known as headliners in their own right, with Pizzarelli being a particular local favorite thanks to multiple St. Louis appearances over the last couple of decades. They first joined forces last year to create ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: John Pizzarelli, Sammy Miller and the Congregation, a tribute to Thelonious Monk, and more

Jazz this week: John Pizzarelli, Sammy Miller and the Congregation, a tribute to Thelonious Monk, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes the St. Louis debut of an up-and-coming young band; a tribute to a distinctive jazz composer and pianist; the return of a longtime local favorite for a benefit performance; and more. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, October 25 Pianist Adam Maness, bassist Bob DeBoo and drummer Montez Coleman will salute one of the greatest composers in jazz in the first of two nights of a “Thelonious Monk ...

Festival

2016 Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival to feature John Pizzarelli, tribute to Maynard Ferguson

2016 Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival to feature John Pizzarelli, tribute to Maynard Ferguson

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

The 2016 Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival is set for Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, and will feature guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli on Friday and a tribute to the late trumpeter Maynard Ferguson on Saturday. Pizzarelli (pictured) is a frequent visitor to St. Louis who played here most recently in July at the Sheldon in a fundraiser for the the family of pianist Ray Kennedy. His latest album Midnight McCartney, which ...

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Event

John Pizzarelli & Daniel Jobim Return To Café Carlyle With "Strictly Bossa Nova II"

John Pizzarelli & Daniel Jobim Return To Café Carlyle With "Strictly Bossa Nova II"

Source: Matt Gross

Café Carlyle is pleased to welcome back guitarist John Pizzarelli, who just performed a sold- out, critically lauded show with wife Jessica Molaskey which TIME placed on their list of 2014’s Ten Best Plays & Musicals. He will premiere Strictly Bossa Nova II, a new concert of bossa nova music featuring the Brazilian singer-songwriter and pianist Daniel Jobim, grandson of the seminal Antonio Carlos Jobim, April 21-May 2, 2015. Of their previous engagement, Will Friedwald of the Wall Street Journal ...

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Event

Café Carlyle Announces Spring Season With John Pizzarelli, Lena Hall, Alan Cumming, Megan Hilty + More

Café Carlyle Announces Spring Season With John Pizzarelli, Lena Hall, Alan Cumming, Megan Hilty + More

Source: Matt Gross

THE CARLYLE, A ROSEWOOD HOTEL ANNOUNCES CAFÉ CARLYLE SPRING 2015 SEASON Including Venue Debuts of Alan Cumming and Lena Hall; Along With Return of Audience Favorites Megan Hilty, Judy Collins and John Pizzarelli with Daniel Jobim The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel is pleased to announce the Café Carlyle’s spring 2015 season, which will feature some of Broadway’s biggest stars, including the venue debuts of Alan Cumming and Lena Hall, and the highly anticipated return of Megan Hilty. The season will ...

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Performance / Tour

Review: John Pizzarelli at Jazz at the Bistro

Review: John Pizzarelli at Jazz at the Bistro

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Calling John Pizzarelli a throwback to the days when jazz still was considered popular entertainment might sound like a veiled compliment, but it's not. For one thing, it takes a great deal of skill to not only play the guitar as well as he does, but also to sing, tell funny stories, and keep a crowd's attention over the course of a 75-minute set. Pizzarelli did all these during the second set on Thursday, October 23 at Jazz at the ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: John Pizzarelli, Esfoma, the Cunninghams, a Tribute to Charles Mingus, Bad Luck, and More

Jazz This Week: John Pizzarelli, Esfoma, the Cunninghams, a Tribute to Charles Mingus, Bad Luck, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Autumn is definitely in the air in St. Louis, and it's looking like a fine weekend to get out and hear some live jazz and creative music. Here's a look at some of the most noteworthy performances coming up over the next few days... Tonight, singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli opens a four-night engagement continuing through Saturday at Jazz at the Bistro. The longtime St. Louis favorite has a new band for this visit, still featuring his brother Martin on ...

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Event

NJPAC Celebrates Governor Brendan T. Byrne’s 90th Birthday With A Celebrity Comedy Roast Benefit Featuring Roastmaster Governor Chris Christie, Five Additional Former NJ Governors And Special Guest Comedians

NJPAC Celebrates Governor Brendan T. Byrne’s 90th Birthday  With A   Celebrity Comedy Roast Benefit  Featuring Roastmaster Governor Chris Christie,  Five Additional Former NJ Governors And  Special Guest Comedians

Source: Christine Saunders

NEWARK, NJ – NJPAC will celebrate Governor Brendan T. Byrne’s 90th birthday on Tuesday, April 1 at 5:30pm with a Roast and toast of the former Governor by his predecessors in the New Jersey governor’s office, celebrity comedians and other New Jersey politicians. Held in NJPAC’s intimate Chase Room and benefiting the Arts Center’s education initiatives, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will act as Roastmaster and lead Tom Kean, James Florio, Donald DiFrancesco, Jim McGreevey, and Richard Codey, as well ...

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Fever: A Peggy Lee...

Palmetto Records
2023

buy

Stage & Screen

Palmetto Records
2023

buy

Better Days Ahead:...

Ghostlight Records
2021

buy

For Centennial...

Ghostlight Records
2019

buy

Sinatra & Jobim @ 50

Concord Music Group
2017

buy

Double Exposure

Telarc Records
2012

buy

Black Coffee

From: Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration
By John Pizzarelli

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