John Pizzarelli Honors Tony Bennett
The Pizzarelli family of Paterson—guitarist Bucky [1926-2020], singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer John and bassist Martin—have always loved the legendary New Jersey Hall of Fame vocalist Tony Bennett from Englewood in Bergen County. Bucky—who was inducted into the NJHOF in 2011—played on Tony’s 1960 To My Wonderful One and 1969’s I’ve Gotta Be Me albums. John backed up Tony on guitar during numerous radio broadcasts and Tony returned the favor by drawing a beautiful portrait of him that now serves as the cover of John’s new Dear Mr. Bennett (Green Hill Music).
There’s a fluidity to the 12-track project that comes with no drums. Pianist Isaiah J. Thompson and bassist Mike Karn are in lockstep with John’s guitar and soulful vocals. The songs themselves—all associated with Tony—by such composers as Michel Legrand, Cy Coleman, Duke Ellington (check out the breakneck tempo of “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing” below), Bill Evans and Irving Berlin, are simply gorgeous. Highlights include Tony’s first hit (“Boulevard Of Broken Dreams”) in 1950, his first #1 (“Because Of You”) in 1951 and his biggest hit, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” in 1962.