Bucky Pizzarelli (1926-2020)

British audiences knew him best as a visiting mainstream soloist, often at weekend-events like the Norwich Jazz Parties or as part of all-star groups brought together for the Brecon Jazz Festival. Earlier he had toured internationally with Benny Goodman, visiting Britain in 1972.

Aside from his prowess as a single-string soloist, Bucky was lauded for his role as a rhythm guitarist, akin to Basie’s Freddy Green, something of a lost art these days. He recorded often – Lord’s jazz discography lists over 500 sessions – and played regularly in guitar duos, initially with George Barnes and more recently, with his son, John, always relishing the cut and thrust of interplay. He also clearly loved to work with star soloists like Zoot Sims, Bud Freeman or Stephane Grappelli. And they with him.

John Paul Pizzarelli – 'Bucky' was a childhood nickname – was born on 9 January 1926 in Paterson, NJ, where his parents owned a grocery store, and gained his initial inspiration from guitar-playing uncles. At 17, he was on the road backing singer Vaughan Monroe and continued with Monroe’s dance band both before and after army service. After two years with a popular instrumental group, Bucky then moved seamlessly into studio work, playing on a multitude of pop records and working as a staff musician with NBC for 15 years, this including a regular evening stint on John Carson’s ‘Tonight Show’. Unusually perhaps, he adopted the seven-string electric guitar, the low-A tuning providing his own bass line.

When Carson moved the show to Los Angeles, Bucky stayed close to home in New Jersey, opting to work more and more often in clubs, leading groups, playing duo or solo engagements, while travelling worldwide with Goodman from 1970, and playing European festivals with the New York Jazz Repertory Company. Much like Ellis Marsalis, his progeny came eventually to match if not out-do him for musical prominence. John has a significant career as cabaret singer and guitarist, father and son often appearing together, usually with another son Martin as the accompanying bassist. Bucky’s daughter Mary is a classical guitarist.

In more recent times, his health had been poor; even so, he continued to perform well into his nineties. Unfailingly courteous and gracious in person: Bucky summarised his intentions as being "about making beautiful music". And so he did.