• Alternative Name: John Paul Pizzarelli, Sr.
• Genre: Jazz
• Active: '60s - 2000s
• Instrument: Guitar

Biography

A superior guitarist appreciated by swing musicians in particular, Bucky Pizzarelli has been a fixture in jazz and the studios since the early '50s. Self-taught, Pizzarelli has long been a master of the seven-string guitar. He toured with Vaughn Monroe before and after a stint in the military. In 1952, Pizzarelli joined the staff of NBC and 12 years later he switched to ABC; in addition, he worked with the Three Sounds (1956-1957) and had several tours with Benny Goodman. In the 1970s he was more active in jazz, co-leading a duo with George Barnes and working with Zoot Sims, Bud Freeman, and Stéphane Grappelli, among many others. Pizzarelli has since kept up a busy recording schedule and plays often at jazz parties. Bucky has also recorded with his son, John Pizzarelli, on an occasional basis since the early '80s, including the albums Nirvana (1995), Solos & Duets (1996), Contrasts (1999), Passionate Guitars (2001), and Generations (2007). Also in 2007 the senior Pizzarelli recorded 5 for Freddie: Bucky's Tribute to Freddie Green on the Arbors label. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Representative Songs:

"Come Rain or Come Shine," "Nuages," "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You"

Representative Albums:

Contrasts, April Kisses, Plays Bix Beiderbecke Arrangements by Bill Challis

Similar Artists:

Howard Roberts, Gene Bertoncini, Carl Kress, Joe Pass, Mundell Lowe, Barney Kessel, Freddie Green, Charlie Byrd

A Member of the Group:

New York Swing, Soprano Summit

Performed Songs By:

Ted Koehler, Arthur Schwartz, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Johnny Mandel, Gus Kahn, Duke Ellington, Howard Dietz, Bix Beiderbecke, Al Cohn, Jerome Kern, Andy Razaf, Richard Rodgers, Harold Arlen, Chick Webb, Edgar Sampson, Fats Waller, Benny Goodman

Worked With:

Zoot Sims, John Pizzarelli, Milt Hinton, George Duvivier, Grady Tate, Hank Jones, Dick Hyman, Lionel Hampton, Teresa Brewer

Followers:

John Pizzarelli

5 for Freddie: Bucky's Tribute to Freddie Green Buy this CD	Generations Buy this CD	Moonglow Buy this CD	Flashes: Solo 7-String Guitar, Vol. 3 Buy this CD	Nirvana [LRC] Buy this CD
One Morning in May Buy this CD	Passionate Guitars Buy this CD	Swing Live Buy this CD	Manhattan Swing: A Visit With the Duke Buy this CD	Passion Guitars Buy this CD

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