Happy 100th birthday Bucky Pizzarelli! Bassist and son, Martin Pizzarelli, celebrates the late guitar icon with his trio and special guests, on Sunday, January 11 at 3 PM at the nearby Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ.
The program also features Ed Laub, Lynus Wyrsch, Russ Kassoff, David O’Rourke, John DiMartino, Walt Bibinger, Cydney Halpin, and Glenn Shuck of 1010 Wins Radio (guitarist son, John Pizzarelli is on tour). The concert will feature some of Bucky Pizzarelli’s arrangements and favorite tunes from the Great American Songbook, opening with Duke Ellington’s “Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me,” a song his father frequently used to start his performances. The event will also include music from Bucky’s years with Benny Goodman and Zoot Sims, part of a career that spanned seven decades.
John Paul “Bucky” Pizzarelli was born on January 9, 1926, in Paterson, New Jersey, and passed away on April 1, 2020, at the age of 94 due to complications from COVID-19. Pizzarelli began playing guitar and banjo at a young age, influenced by his professional musician uncles, Pete and Bobby Domenick. He was known for his mastery of the seven-string guitar, a style he adopted after being inspired by George Van Eps. He received many honors throughout his life, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the MAC Awards in 2002, induction into the ASCAP Jazz Wall of Fame in 2005, and the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2011.
Martin Pizzarelli described the concert as a “family style” and “very loose” event, which may include a display some of his father’s artwork, such as paintings depicting the Paterson Falls.
Tickets are $40.00 at morrismuseum.org
Morris Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road Morristown, NJ (
