John Paul "Bucky" Pizzarelli (January 9, 1926 – April 1, 2020) was an American jazz guitarist. He worked for NBC as an employee starting in 1964, including a role with Dick Cavett in 1971 and a position with ABC alongside Bobby Rosengarden in 1952. Musicians he worked with include Benny Goodman, George Barnes, Les Paul, Oscar Peterson, Stéphane Grappelli, Benny Green, and Antônio Carlos Jobim. Pizzarelli cited Django Reinhardt, Freddie Green, and George Van Eps as influences.

Early life

Pizzarelli was born on January 9, 1926, in Paterson, New Jersey, United States. He began learning to play the guitar and banjo when he was very young. His uncles, Pete and Bobby Domenick, were professional musicians. Sometimes, the family would meet at one of their homes to play music together during informal gatherings. Pizzarelli said that blind accordion player Joe Mooney was an inspiration. Mooney led a group of four musicians that included Bobby Domenick, Pizzarelli's uncle. During high school, Pizzarelli played the guitar for a small band that performed classical music.

Career

At age 17, Pizzarelli started his professional career by joining the Vaughn Monroe dance band in 1944. In 1951, he made his first recording as a supporting musician outside the Monroe orchestra with Joe Mooney. In 1952, Pizzarelli became a staff musician for NBC, playing with Skitch Henderson. In 1964, he joined The Tonight Show Band on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. During his time with the show, he played with guest musicians and bands across many music styles, including performing with Tiny Tim after tuning the performer’s ukulele on the day Tiny Tim married Miss Vicki on Carson’s show.

From 1956 to 1957, Pizzarelli used the stage name "Johnny Buck" and performed with The Three Suns pop music trio. In 1957, he and guitarist George Barnes formed a duo and recorded two albums, including a live performance in August 1971 at The Town Hall in New York City. Starting in the 1970s, Pizzarelli recorded as a leader, creating many tributes to musicians from the 1930s. He toured with Benny Goodman multiple times until Goodman’s death in 1986. Pizzarelli performed with Benny Goodman at the White House in Washington, D.C., and also performed for presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and First Lady Pat Nixon.

In 1985, a concert named "Jersey Jazz Guitars" was held at the Rutgers University Nicholas Music Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The event featured Pizzarelli, Les Paul, Tal Farlow, and Pizzarelli’s son, John. The concert was broadcast on New Jersey’s public radio station as part of their New Jersey Summerfare Series. Pizzarelli and Les Paul had previously performed together because they were neighbors and friends. The one-hour show aired in August 1985, with John singing on two songs.

Pizzarelli continued to perform into his 90s, even making appearances after a stroke in 2016. He officially retired after a final short performance with Michael Feinstein in 2018. He died of COVID-19 on April 1, 2020, in Saddle River, New Jersey. He had been dealing with serious health issues in recent years.

Pizzarelli’s first guitar was an archtop Gibson, a costly instrument at the time. After his first professional job with Vaughn Monroe, he preferred 1930s and 1940s Epiphone DeLuxe models for six-string and rhythm guitar work, as heard on his 2007 album Five for Freddie: Bucky Pizzarelli’s Tribute To Freddie Green. Inspired by George Van Eps, he began playing the seven-string guitar in 1969. Later, he owned and used many guitars but often played a Benedetto Bucky Pizzarelli Signature model made by Robert Benedetto, who also builds guitars for Howard Alden and Frank Vignola. The extra string on his guitar helped him create a bass line during performances. He also played a custom seven-string American archtop guitar made by luthier Dale Unger, who also makes custom guitars for Pizzarelli’s partner, Ed Laub.

Personal life and death

Pizzarelli married Ruth (born Litchult) in 1954. His son, John, is a jazz guitarist and singer. His other son, Martin, is a professional bassist who has recorded music with his father and brother. His daughter, Mary, is a classical guitarist who performed on her father's third album as a leader, Green Guitar Blues, and on other recordings. Pizzarelli also performed on three albums by his daughter-in-law, Jessica Molaskey, who is married to his son John. He died on April 1, 2020, due to complications from COVID-19.

Awards and honors

• In 2002, the Lifetime Achievement Award was given by the MAC Awards.
• In 2005, the Jazz Wall of Fame, presented by ASCAP, was awarded.
• In 2011, the New Jersey Hall of Fame recognized the individual.