A superior guitarist appreciated by swing
musicians in particular, Bucky Pizzarelli has been a fixture in
jazz and the studios since the early '50s. Self-taught, Pizzarelli
has long been a master of the seven-string guitar. He toured with
Vaughn Monroe before and after a stint in the military. In 1952,
Pizzarelli joined the staff of NBC and 12 years later he switched
to ABC; in addition, he worked with the Three Sounds (1956-1957)
and had several tours with Benny Goodman.
In the 1970s he was more active in jazz, co-leading a duo with
George Barnes and working with Zoot Sims, Bud Freeman, and Stéphane
Grappelli, among many others. Pizzarelli has since kept up a busy
recording schedule and plays often at jazz parties. Bucky has
also recorded with his son, John Pizzarelli, on an occasional
basis since the early '80s, including the albums Nirvana (1995),
Solos & Duets (1996), Contrasts (1999), Passionate Guitars
(2001), and Generations (2007). Also in 2007 the senior Pizzarelli
recorded 5 for Freddie: Bucky's Tribute to Freddie Green on the
Arbors label.
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