Using performers like Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra and the songs of composers from Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin to James Taylor, and Lennon and 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 and performed with a number of great jazz musicians, 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 and toured extensively, playing clubs and concert halls, opening for such greats as Dave Brubeck, Ramsey Lewis and Rosemary Clooney. In 1993, he opened for Frank Sinatra's international tour and joined in Sinatra's 80th birthday celebration at Carnegie Hall bringing down the house singing "I Don't Know Why I Love You Like I Do" with his father accompanying him.
Pizzarelli's hero and foundation was Nat 'King' Cole. "I've always said 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 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, Harry Allen and, of course, Bucky Pizzarelli. He was featured opposite Donna Summer, Jon Secada and Roberta Flack on the GRAMMY(R) Award-winning CD, "Songs from the Neighborhood: The Music of Mr. Rogers" in 2005.
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