Bucky Pizzarelli (Guitar - USA)

John Pizzarelli was born January 9, 1926 in Paterson, New Jersey, learning to play the guitar and banjo at a young age. His uncles (Pete and Bobby Domenick) were professional musicians, and sometimes the extended family would gather at one of their homes with their guitars for jam sessions. Of course when Bucky learned the tricks of the trade, he frequently joined them. His first guitar was an archtop Gibson, an expensive instrument at the time. During high school, John was guitarist for a small band that performed classical music.

Bucky Pizzarelli began his professional career at 17 when he joined the Vaughn Monroe band in 1943. Near the end of World War II, while in Austria as an infantryman fulfilling wartime military service for the Army, Pizzarelli was absent from Monroe's band (though he rejoined the outfit in 1946 and played for another 5 years with them). While in the military, he played in an unauthorized dance band. In 1964, he became a member of the Doc Severinsen band on the Tonight Show while Johnny Carson was host. Bucky also was on the Katie Smith Show that same year. During his time spent performing for the Tonight Show, Bucky accompanied guest bands and musicians playing through a landscape of musical genres. While self-professedly not a big fan of rock and roll, Bucky performed on 7 hits with Dion and the Belmonts during this period and enjoyed the sessions.

From 1956–1957, John performed with The Three Sounds trio along with bassist Andy Simpkins and pianist Gene Harris. He toured several times off and on with Benny Goodman up and until 1986, the year of Goodman's death. Beginning in the 1970s, Pizzarelli began recording as a leader, performing many tributes to musicians of the 1930s era. Bucky has performed at the White House in Washington, D.C. With artists such as Benny Goodman, two performances for President Ronald Reagan and one for President Bill Clinton. He also played a private birthday party for Pat Nixon, President Richard Nixon's wife, at the Nixon home.

Photo courtesy of Bruce Lindsay