John Pizzarelli

Urbanely charming jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli is the son of legendary jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli. John’s professional work has included stints with Nat Adderley and Sonny Stitt. Inspired by the stylings of Nat King Cole he has been rewriting the songbook of Gershwin, Mercer, Porter et al. for 25 years, as well as bringing classic Beatles’ songs into the world of swing with the album John Pizzarelli Meets the Beatles. Pizzarelli was also named “Jazz Vocalist of the Year” by Swing Journal in 1999. He has tons of fretboard finesse, but his master’s touch is light and sophisticated, marked by subtle harmonies (he’s also got a hilarious line of between-song patter). Leading the same drummerless trio - Ray Kennedy piano and brother Martin Pizzarelli bass - for over a decade, together they are purveyors of late-night ballads and coolly expressive jazz. The trio, joined by special guests, returns to JazzFest this year to support their new CD on Telarc, Bossa Nova.

“Like the Nat King Cole Trio, Mr. Pizzarelli’s trio balances a taut, rhythmic intensity against an attitude of cool, intimate understatement.” ?New York Times