Happy 89th Birthday John Paul Bucky Pizzarelli (born January 9, 1926) . . . My you give us more fine guitar playing for another 89 years! John Paul Bucky Pizzarelli (born January 9, 1926) is an American jazz guitarist and banjoist, and the father of jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli and upright bassist Martin Pizzarelli. Pizzarelli has also worked for NBC as a staffman for Dick Cavett (1971) and also ABC with Bobby Rosengarden in (1952). The list of musicians Pizzarelli has collaborated with over his career includes Les Paul, Stephane Grappelli, and Benny Goodman. Pizzarelli acknowledges Django Reinhardt, Freddie Green, and George Van Eps for their influences on his style and mode of play. Bucky Pizzarelli was born January 9, 1926 in Paterson, New Jersey, learning to play the 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 cites Joe Mooney — a blind accordion player who led a quartet that included Pizzarellis uncle, guitarist Bobby Domenick — as a major inspiration. During high school, John was guitarist for a small band that performed classical music. In addition to his son John, Pizzarellis son Martin is a professional musician, a bassist who has recorded both with his father and brother. His daughter Mary is a classical guitarist who appeared on her fathers third album as leader, Green Guitar Blues, as well on as other recordings. Pizzarelli has also appeared on three albums of his daughter-in-law (Johns wife), Jessica Molaskey. Today Bucky Pizzarelli resides in a home on the banks of the Saddle River in Saddle River, New Jersey with his wife Ruth. An avid amateur painter, Pizzarellis home is filled with his own artwork.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 02:18:29 +0000
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