John Pizzarelli
Effortless swing and warm vocals meet world-class seven-string guitar. It is the sound of a high-end supper club where the music is as smooth as the cocktails.
Effortless swing and warm vocals meet world-class seven-string guitar. It is the sound of a high-end supper club where the music is as smooth as the cocktails.
John Pizzarelli is a central figure in the contemporary preservation and evolution of the Great American Songbook. Born into jazz royalty as the son of Bucky Pizzarelli, he mastered the rare seven-string electric guitar, which allows him to provide his own bass lines and dense harmonic accompaniment.
His sound identity is defined by a 'cool' vocal delivery heavily influenced by Nat King Cole and a swing-based guitar technique that incorporates elements of Django Reinhardt and Les Paul. Pizzarelli's career arc moved from a traditionalist apprentice to a versatile bandleader who successfully bridges the gap between cabaret, big band, and small-group jazz. He is highly regarded for his ability to modernize the standards without sacrificing their historical integrity. Critically, he is praised for his technical precision and his 'consummate entertainer' persona, which has made him a staple of high-end venues like the Carlyle. His influence extends to the radio world through 'Radio Deluxe,' where he further cements his role as a curator of sophisticated popular song.
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