Bucky Pizzarelli, a legendary guitarist who made an indelible mark on New York City's jazz scene and played on hundreds of recordings as a first-call session player, has died at the age of 94. Pizzarelli had been suffering from coronavirus, according to his son, guitarist John Pizzarelli.
A true master of jazz guitar, Pizzarelli was a popular choice as a session player, and made (often uncredited) contributions to hundreds of songs in the '50s and '60s, including hits like Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me."
Pizzarelli also toured with Benny Goodman, and was a member of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson band for a number of years, until Carson moved the show to the West Coast in 1972.
Once he departed The Tonight Show, Pizzarelli began gigging throughout New York City at well-known jazz clubs, earning acclaim for his collaborations with the likes of guitarist George Barnes and violinist Stéphane Grappelli.
In 1980, Pizzarelli began performing with his son, John. John Pizzarelli would go on to become a jazz guitar star of his own, and - with performances that often featured Bucky, John's brother Martin on bass and his wife, Jessica Molaskey, on vocals - become a major part of the Pizzarellis' popular family band.
Bucky Pizzarelli was also well-known for using a seven-string guitar - highly unusual in the jazz world - with a bottom string tuned to a low A. This enabled Pizzarelli to provide his own bass line in a solo or duo setting. John Pizzarelli took after his father, and also uses a seven-string for the same purpose.
"Jazz guitar wouldn't be what it is today without Bucky Pizzarelli," jazz guitarist Frank Vignola said. "He and Freddie Green were responsible for a style of rhythm guitar playing that has lasted until 2020."
Pizzarelli is survived by his sons, John and Martin, his wife - Ruth - two daughters - Anne Hymes and Mary Pizzarelli - and four grandchildren.
* This article was originally published here
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