Bucky Pizzarelli

John Paul "Bucky" Pizzarelli, whose nimble fingers caressed the frets of seven-stringed guitars for more than seven decades, left an indelible mark on the canon of jazz music. Born on January 9, 1926, in Paterson, New Jersey, he emerged from the post-Depression era with a guitar in hand, eventually weaving himself into the very fiber of American jazz. Although his passing in April 2020 marked the end of an era, his legacy continues to echo in music halls and recording studios alike. Bucky's journey began in an Italian-American household teeming with the notes of classical mandolin. It wasn’t until his father gifted him a guitar at age nine that the young Pizzarelli discovered the companion of his lifetime. Enduring the rigors of self-instruction, he was soon playing alongside his father in local venues. Fate intervened during his high school years in 1944, when Les Paul, himself on the cusp of greatness, hired young Pizzarelli for a stint with his orchestra — a rare chance that would cement Bucky’s first steps into the world of professional music. World War II temporarily halted Bucky’s burgeoning career as he served in the military, but his musical journey resumed upon his discharge. For much of the 1950s, Bucky carved out a niche in the robust New York studio scene, becoming a harbinger of the stylistic swing that defined the era. His time at NBC as a staff musician placed him amongst the esteemed ranks of the Tonight Show Band, led by the incomparable Skitch Henderson. Bucky became known not only for his prodigious talent but also for his adaptability, working with illustrious figures such as Benny Goodman and Clark Terry. The 1960s ushered in another significant chapter, as Bucky began his longstanding association with the leading lights of pop. From Frank Sinatra to Tony Bennett, his guitar provided the unsung foundation for countless performances and recordings, showcasing the versatility necessary to traverse both jazz and popular music. During this period, Bucky's introduction to the seven-string guitar — brought to the fore by Brazilian guitarist Luiz Bonfá — expanded the harmonic possibilities of his playing, adding a profound depth that would become his signature. Bucky’s career remained robust through the decades, characterized by an increasing focus on jazz guitar, including partnerships with equally charismatic figures like Stéphane Grappelli. Notably, his collaboration with the French-Italian violinist led to a dynamic jazz ensemble that wandered through traditional swing to Gypsy jazz, an eclectic mix that highlighted Bucky’s unparalleled musical intuition and his penchant for spontaneous innovation. A particularly inspiring facet of Bucky Pizzarelli’s storied life lay not just in his collaborations with established artists, but in his nurturing of emerging talent. Among these was his son, John Pizzarelli, who inherited the familial flair for music. John's success as a jazz guitarist and vocalist draws heavily from the foundations laid by his father, a timeless exchange echoed in their numerous performances together. The intergenerational collaboration extended to Bucky's daughter Mary, a jazz musician, and his younger son, Martin, an upright bassist, creating a familial ensemble whose collective work attests to their shared mastery. Pizzarelli's tenacity for live performance remained undiminished by advancing age. Despite the physical limitations one might expect to accompany a lifetime spent cradling a guitar, Bucky continued to perform into his nineties, a testament to both his enduring passion and timeless skill. His 90th birthday was celebrated with a concert at New York City’s Lincoln Center, where the breadth of his influence was on display, showcasing renditions that spanned his extensive repertoire. Though accolades might quantify a career, Bucky Pizzarelli's essence was perhaps best encapsulated in the authentic, understated humility of his presence. To those who knew him, he was as appreciated for his grounded character as for his artistry. His contributions to recordings—over a hundred albums, including those for Concord Jazz and Arbors Records—highlight his pivotal role in pushing the creative boundaries of jazz guitar. Bucky Pizzarelli’s passing came as New Jersey and the broader music world grappled with the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a poignant moment, culminating his prolific career amidst an era of unprecedented silence. Yet, within that quietude, the notes of his guitar endure, a testament to a life dedicated to the art of jazz. Today, Bucky Pizzarelli’s name continues to evoke the soulful symbiosis between rhythm and melody, a legendary figure whose mastery of the guitar strings transcended mere technique to touch the very heart of music itself. His story, a vibrant chapter in the lexicon of jazz, endures—a chord resonating through time.