Bucky Pizzarelli
John Paul "Bucky" Pizzarelli (January 9, 1926 – April 1, 2020)[1] was an American jazz guitarist.
He was the father of jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli and double bassist Martin Pizzarelli. He worked for NBC as a staffman for Dick Cavett (1971) and ABC with Bobby Rosengarden in (1952). Musicians he collaborated with include Benny Goodman, George Barnes, Les Paul, Oscar Peterson (pianist), Stéphane Grappelli, Benny Green, and Antônio Carlos Jobim. Pizzarelli cited as influences Django Reinhardt, Freddie Green, and George Van Eps.[2][3]
Early life[edit]
Pizzarelli was born on January 9, 1926, in Paterson, New Jersey, United States.[4] He learned to play guitar and banjo at a young age. His uncles, Pete and Bobby Domenick, were professional musicians, and sometimes the extended family would gather at one of their homes with their guitars for jam sessions. Pizzarelli cited blind accordion player Joe Mooney as an inspiration. Mooney led a quartet that included Pizzarelli's uncle, Bobby Domenick.[5] During high school, Pizzarelli was the guitarist for a small band that performed classical music.[3]
With Anita Baker
With Solomon Burke
With Petula Clark
With Rosemary Clooney
With Judy Collins
With Dion DiMucci
With Roberta Flack
With Aretha Franklin
With Michael Franks
With Henry Gross
With Janis Ian
With Paul McCartney
With Helen Merrill
With Jane Monheit
With Tony Mottola
With Laura Nyro
With Robert Palmer
With Neil Sedaka
With Carly Simon
With Carrie Smith
With Sarah Vaughan
With Loudon Wainwright III
Personal life and death[edit]
Pizzarelli married Ruth (née Litchult) in 1954.[16] His son John is a jazz guitarist and vocalist and his son Martin is a professional bassist who has recorded with his father and brother. His daughter Mary is a classical guitarist who appeared on her father's third album as a leader, Green Guitar Blues, as well as on other recordings. Pizzarelli also appeared on three albums of his daughter-in-law (John's wife), Jessica Molaskey.[17] He died on April 1, 2020, from complications of COVID-19.[18]