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 by Doug Tatum More Great Jazz for February & March
Born in 1960, John follows in the musical tradition of his father, guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli, a veteran of the Big Band era who for many years was the guitarist in Johnny Carson's Tonight Show Orchestra. Hanging out with his father, young John was exposed to all the great jazz of the era. Benny Goodman, Les Paul and Zoot Sims were just a few of the jazz greats seen and heard around the Pizzarelli household while John was growing up, and all became early influences. Beginning at age six on the banjo, John is now the master of the seven-string guitar (the extra string is tuned to a low A). At age 20, he began playing with his father, then went out on his own. Since 1992, the John Pizzarelli Trio, with Ray Kennedy on piano and brother Martin Pizzarelli on bass, has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. One of Pizzarelli's most successful recordings is the intimate and unabashedly romantic, Let There Be Love (Telarc). John's catalogue of 20+ albums also includes Kisses in the Rain, I'm Hip, Dear Mr. Cole, John Pizzarelli Meets the Beatles, After Hours, Our Love is Here to Stay, and Let's Share Christmas. For his latest recording, The Rare Delight of You, released in April 2002, John teamed up with veteran pianist George Shearing. In the tradition of classic quintet-and-vocalist recordings, Pizzarelli and Shearing lay down some great standards. The Trio has earned rave reviews, often comparing John Pizzarelli to the jazz greats who inspired him. In 1999, Pizzarelli was selected as "Jazz Vocalist of the Year" in a Swing Journal Readers Poll. Stephen Holden, writing in the New York Times stated, "Mr. Pizzarelli conjured strong echoes of Nat 'King' Cole in his singing and Les Paul in his playing. Far from conflicting, these influences are smoothly integrated into a personal vision of jazz heaven as a place that's cozy but cool... (his) music portrays the kind of joy that sneaks up on you at odd moments when you're just walking around feeling good." Taking time off from a busy touring schedule, John Pizzarelli made his Broadway debut in "Dream," a Broadway production of Johnny Mercer songs. John has also spent considerable time in Hollywood: In addition to a memorable guest spot on Melrose Place, the Trio has appeared on The Tonight Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, CBS This Morning, NBC's Today Show, and CNN. The John Pizzarelli Trio was also featured in the 1999 Goldie Hawn/Steve Martin film, "The Out of Towners" performing "That Old Black Magic." John has recorded tracks for such films as "Ready to Wear," "Forget Paris," and "Two Family House." * * * The Folly Theater is once again proud to present the legendary Dave Brubeck Quartet on Saturday, March 8. When the Dave Brubeck Quartet with Paul Desmond was first formed in 1951, it caused quite a stir in the jazz world, helping to launch what later became known as "West Coast Jazz." The Quartet's recordings and concert appearances on college campuses probably introduced more new fans to jazz than any other group in jazz history. Throughout his career, Brubeck's joy in performing has continued to excite multiple generations. Brubeck's talent and courage as a jazz experimenter led the Chicago Tribune to call him "a musician who always has delighted in crossing musical boundaries the lesser artists fear." And if you're planning ahead, the great James Moody Quartet will close out the 2002-2003 Folly Jazz Series on Saturday, April 26. For more information, please call the Folly Theater at 816-474-4444. Doug Tatum is the Executive Director of the Folly Theater. RETURN TO FEBRUARY/MARCH 2003 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2003. All rights reserved. |
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