Bucky Pizzarelli

A warm and gregarious guitarist, Bucky Pizzarelli carried the torch for traditional jazz and swing well into the 21st century. Influenced by innovative guitarists like Django Reinhardt and George Van Eps, Pizzarelli was known for his skill on both the six- and seven-string guitar. Following his emergence as a sideman in New York in the 1950s, he played with NBC's Tonight Show Band during the '60s and '70s. Pizzarelli also released his own albums, embracing mainstream jazz traditions and collaborating with fellow veterans Zoot Sims, Bud Freeman, Slam Stewart, and others. He passed these traditions down to his sons, guitarist/singer John and bassist Martin, recording a handful of highly regarded albums (2007's Generations, 2009's Pizzarelli Party, 2011's Family Fugue) that showcased his wry charm and ebullient fret-board skills.