John Pizzarelli, the world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer, was called “Hip with a wink” by Town &
Country, “madly creative” by the Los Angeles Times and “the genial genius of the guitar” by The Toronto
Star. When he performs with his wife, singer/actress Jessica Molaskey, and his father, guitar legend Bucky
Pizzarelli, they are labeled “the First Family of Cool” by The San Francisco Chronicle and “the von Trapps
on Martinis” by The New Yorker. According to the New York Times, “the Pizzarelli-Molaskey duo are as
good as it gets in any entertainment medium.”
After his recent smash success with the Boston Pops, he was hailed by The Boston Globe for
“reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz.” And the Seattle Times called him “a
tour de force” and “a rare entertainer of the old school.” Before a recent show in the northwest, the local
paper quipped “John Pizzarelli is so impossibly cool, he shouldn’t be legally allowed to enter Oregon.”
Using performers like Nat “King” Cole, Frank Sinatra and Joao Gilberto and the songs of composers
from Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin to James Taylor, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Lennon
& McCartney as touchstones, John Pizzarelli has established himself as one of the prime interpreters of the
great American songbook and beyond, bringing to his work the cool jazz flavor of his brilliant guitar playing
and singing.
Pizzarelli started playing guitar at age six, following in the tradition of his father. After playing in pickup
groups and garage bands through high school he began exploring jazz with his father as a teenager, and
was able to perform with a number of great jazz musicians who would be a major influence on his work,
including Benny Goodman, Les Paul, Zoot Sims, Clark Terry and Slam Stewart. John went out on his own
after recording My Blue Heaven for Chesky Records in 1990, then toured extensively, playing clubs and
concert halls, opening for such greats as Dave Brubeck, Ramsey Lewis and Rosemary Clooney. In 1993,
he was honored to open for Frank Sinatra’s international tour and then joined in the celebration for his 80th birthday at Carnegie Hall bringing down the house singing “I Don’t Know Why I Love You Like I Do” with his father accompanying him.
For Pizzarelli though, his hero and foundation was Nat King Cole and the comparison to his iconic trio is the
highest of compliments. “I’ve always said in my concerts that Nat King Cole is why I do what I do.” But
Pizzarelli adds, “We aren’t trying to copy him. His sound was singular and inspired. I’ve always said we’re
an extension, a 21st Century version of what that group was.” In fact, Pizzarelli devoted his RCA albums Dear Mr. Cole and P.S. Mr. Cole to music made famous by the beloved song stylist. Pizzarelli’s catalogue
of albums also includes a touching cycle of torch ballads (After Hours), a collection of classic swing and
bold originals (Our Love is Here to Stay), and a charming holiday disc (Let’s Share Christmas). On one of
his last projects for RCA, John Pizzarelli Meets the Beatles, he brought classic Beatles songs into the
worlds of swing and smoky balladry. In 1999, Pizzarelli's trio was featured in the Goldie Hawn/Steve Martin
comedy film The Out of Towners, performing “That Old Black Magic.”
A popular TV commercial for Foxwoods Casino has made Pizzarelli a recognizable face. “In the Northeast, I
can see people staring at me on the street. ‘The Wonder Of It All’ is a great tune,” he enthuses of the Don
Sebesky-arranged number. “And people are calling the casino to ask ‘who’s that guy singing?’ If I’m going
to be associated with a jingle, I’m happy that at least it’s something I like.” In 1997 Pizzarelli made his
Broadway debut in the musical Dream, a revue of Johnny Mercer songs.
Pizzarelli signed with the Grammy Award winning label Telarc International in 1999 recording a string of
successful CDs starting with Kisses In The Rain, a diverse set of standards and original tunes that
showcases the spontaneity of his live performances within a studio setting, followed by Let There Be Love.
On his 2002 album, The Rare Delight of You, Pizzarelli teamed up with veteran pianist George Shearing. In
the tradition of classic quintet-and-vocalist recordings, they lay down great standards (including “Be Careful,
It’s My Heart,” “If Dreams Come True” and “Lost April”) as well as a couple originals, all with vibrant
arrangements. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the John Pizzarelli Trio along with pianist Ray Kennedy
and bassist/brother Martin Pizzarelli, Live at Birdland was released in April 2003. This two CD set
seamlessly James Taylor folk with Gershwin and Van Heusen standards, in addition to original Pizzarelli
compositions. After listening to the CD, the Jazz Times critic raved “Spend five minutes with Pizzarelli and
you'll fully appreciate his inimitable warmth, humor and munificence of spirit.”
In 2004, Pizzarelli introduced a new generation to the distinctive Latin rhythms of Bossa Nova. Produced by
Russ Titleman, the critically-acclaimed disc features several Brazilian musicians including drummer Paulo
Braga, pianist Cesar Camargo Mariano and vocalist Daniel Jobim. According to Billboard, “His performance
throughout, as both vocalist and guitarist, is exceptional." Knowing You, Pizzarelli’s 2005 release, pays
homage to the many talented musicians and songwriters he’s met throughout his career. The disc features
material from noted pop and Broadway songwriters Jimmy McHugh, Sammy Cahn, Alan and Marilyn
Bergman, Johnny Mandel and Brian Wilson among others. The Associated Press called the disc “A classy,
urbane session. The rich colors make this among the best of Pizzarelli's albums."
In 2006, Telarc introduced Dear Mr. Sinatra, John’s tribute CD to “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” featuring the ClaytonHamilton Jazz Orchestra. The CD features John Clayton’s clever reworking of classic standards like “I’ve
Got You Under My Skin” and “You Make Me Feel So Young,” as well as songs written Sinatra for like “Ring
A Ding Ding,” “Nice And Easy” and “The Last Dance.” The New York Times praised the recording for
“exploding with enthusiasm and excitement."
His 20008 recording, the Grammy Award nominated With A Song In My Heart, celebrates the music of
legendary composer Richard Rodgers. The CD includes swinging Rodgers & Hart jazz standards like “The
Lady Is A Tramp,” “Mountain Greenery” and “Johnny One Note,” in addition to theater songs from South
Pacific and The King and I. The disc also featuring rare songs like “Nobody’s Heart” and “I Like To
Recognize The Tune.”
His latest recording, Rockin’ In Rhythm, the singer-guitarist’s first ever Duke Ellington recording, features 12
classic tracks that prove Pizzarelli – like Ellington – knows how to show off the strengths of the musicians in
his band. In addition to a cut for solo guitar, four songs highlight the quartet (with pianist Larry Fuller, bassist
Martin Pizzarelli and drummer Tony Tedesco) and seven include the Swing Seven horns with arrangements
by Don Sebesky.
In addition to being a bandleader and solo performer, John has been a special guest on recordings for
major pop names such as James Taylor, Natalie Cole, Kristin Chenoweth, Tom Wopat, Rickie Lee Jones
and Dave Von Ronk, as well as leading jazz artists like Rosemary Clooney, Ruby Braff, Johnny Frigo,
Buddy DeFranco, Harry Allen and, of course, Bucky Pizzarelli. He was featured opposite Donna Summer,
Jon Secada and Roberta Flack on the Grammy Award winning CD, Songs From The Neighborhood: The
Music of Mr. Rogers in 2005.
A veteran radio personality, Pizzarelli hosted “New York Tonight” on WNEW from 1984 to 1988. John has
also successfully launched “Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli,” his nationally syndicated radio program, cohosted with his wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey. Bringing warmth, humor and that long-lost “live” feel
back to radio, the show takes place in their “deluxe living room high atop Lexington Avenue” and the
conversations are relaxed, candid, and off-the-cuff as is the music. He has interviewed a wide range of
guests from Liza Minnelli, Mitch Albom and Regis Philbin to Kurt Elling, Annie Ross and Keely Smith. The
show is available globally as a podcast at www.johnpizzarelli.com and via iTunes.
John has performed on the country's most popular national television shows such as “The Tonight Show
with Jay Leno,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Live With Regis & Kelly,” “The Tony Danza Show,”
“The CBS Early Show,” Fox News Channel, the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon and the Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade.
He led a 40-member live orchestra at Radio City Music Hall in Sinatra: His Voice, His World, His Way. His
instructional DVD Exploring Jazz Guitar – filled with demonstrations, lessons and anecdotes – is available
from Hal Leonard. Pizzarelli received the 2009 Ella Fitzgerald Award from the Montreal International Jazz
Festival, joining a select group of past winners including Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett and Harry Connick,
Jr.
Pizzarelli performs annual engagements at the Café Carlyle with Jessica Molaskey and at Birdland with his
jazz combo. He continues to tour throughout the United States, Europe, South America and Japan,
performing classic pop, jazz and swing, while setting the standard for stylish modern jazz. Please visit
www.johnpizzarelli.com for tour schedule, discography, radio guests and much more.