A warm and gregarious guitarist, Bucky Pizzarelli carried the torch for traditional jazz and swing well into the 21st century. Influenced by innovative guitarists like Django Reinhardt and George Van Eps, Pizzarelli was known for his skill on both the six- and seven-string guitar. Following his emergence as a sideman in New York in the 1950s, he established his reputation as a member of the NBC Tonight Show Band during the '60s and '70s. Along with tours with icons like Benny Goodman, he released his own albums, embracing mainstream jazz traditions and commiserating with fellow veterans like Zoot Sims, Bud Freeman, Slam Stewart, and others. He passed these traditions down to his sons, guitarist/singer John Pizzarelli and bassist Martin Pizzarelli, recording a handful of highly regarded albums, like 2007's Generations, 2009's Pizzarelli Party, and 2011's Family Fugue, that showcased his wry charm and ebullient fret-board skills. Pizzarelli remained active well into his eighties and continued to explore his varied interests, as on his 2015 classical and standards album Renaissance.
Bucky Pizzarelli died on April 1, 2020 due to complications from the COVID-19 virus. He was 94 years old.
1971. George Barnes & Bucky Pizzarelli - Guitars Pure And Honest
1987. Bucky And John Pizzarelli At The Vineyard Theatre
1989. Bucky Pizzarelli - The Rhythm Encounters
1989. Johnny Frigo With Bucky & John Pizzarelli - Live From Studio A In New York City
1995. Bucky & John Pizzarelli - Nirvana
1995. Scott Hamilton & Bucky Pizzarelli - The Red Door - Copy
1996. Bucky & John Pizzarelli - Solos And Duets (2 CD)
1998. The Pizzarellis, Bucky And John - Contrasts
2001. Bucky Pizzarelli - Swing Live
2003. Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden... - Hot Club Of 52nd Street
2003. Howard Alden & Bucky Pizzarelli - In A Mellow Tone
2005. Bucky Pizzarelli & Frank Vignola - Moonglow
2006. Bucky Pizzarelli & Frank Vignola - Don't Blame Me
2006. Michele Ramo, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jerry Bruno - Oh' Lady Be Good
2007. Bucky & John Pizzarelli - Generations
2008. Bucky Pizzarelli And Strings - So Hard To Forget
2011. Bucky & John Pizzarelli - Family Fugue
2011. Bucky Pizzarelli - Challis In Wonderland
