John Pizzarelli

Big Band SwingS in TriBuTe To Bucky

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May 5, 2023

MAYO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

John Pizzarelli Big Band Swings in Tribute to Bucky

John Pizzarelli, the world-renowned guitarist and singer, has established himself as a prime contemporary interpreter of the Great American Songbook and beyond, with a repertoire that includes Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and The Beatles. He has been hailed by The Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz.” The Toronto Star pegged him as “the genial genius of the guitar.” And The Seattle Times saluted him as “a rare entertainer of the old school.”

Following high-profile collaborations with Sir Paul McCartney and Michael McDonald, Pizzarelli returns to his roots to honor his hero, the legendary jazz/pop vocalist and pianist Nat King Cole, whose centennial is being celebrated around the world this year with various concerts, books and recordings. For Centennial Reasons... completes an epic trio of Pizzarelli albums saluting Cole, starting with Dear Mr. Cole, which helped put Pizzarelli on the map as an influential jazz guitarist and singer in 1994, and continuing with P.S. Mr. Cole, which cemented his legacy five years later.

For Centennial Reasons... – featuring John Pizzarelli on guitar and vocals, Mike Karn on double bass, and Konrad Paszkudzki on piano – is produced by John Pizzarelli and co-produced by Jessica Molaskey.

“Nat King Cole is the reason why I do what I do,” comments Pizzarelli. “The joy that he brought me has never faded and the musicality of his group remains fresh and

vibrant to this day. I even got to work with Natalie Cole, Natʼs daughter, meet Natʼs wife Maria Cole, and become friends with and play with Freddy Cole, Natʼs brother. We are lucky to have lived in a world that gave us Nat Cole, the man and the music.”

For Centennial Reasons... features several songs Pizzarelli hasnʼt previously recorded, from timeless well-known ballads (“When I Fall in Love,” “Body and Soul,” “The Very Thought of You”) to idiosyncratic jazz classics (Bobby Troupʼs “Iʼm Such a Hungry Man,” “Save the Bones for Henry Jones”). The album also revisits and updates several numbers that Pizzarelli recorded earlier in his career. “After years of performing live,” he explains, “the trio has developed and refined these songs and, over time, figured out what we feel have become the definitive versions. Some arrangements, like ʻRoute 66,ʼ have gotten much faster. But ʻStraighten Up and Fly Right,ʼ which I recorded for my first album way back in 1983, has settled into more of a mellow tone. After all this time, I can slow down and savor it. These songs never get old.”

In addition to these original takes on recognized Cole standards, this album introduces two new songs inspired by Coleʼs spirit. “Nat King Cool,” written by Pizzarelli, is a sophisticated homage to the Cole Trio's famous instrumental tracks. With his wife, singer Jessica Molaskey, he penned “A Hundred Years from Now,” which craftily uses oft-cited jazz phrases to express the essence of long-term romance.

Outstanding Band Members

Aaron Andino (Grade 12, Morristown High School; Morristown; Nominated by David Gallagher)

Aaron is the principal trombone player for our wind ensemble at Morristown High School. He always leads by example and is caring and mature in his approach to the music as well as his interaction with his peers. He produces an incredibly vibrant sound and serves as an absolute rock in our low brass section. Aaron also played for both our middle school and high school pit orchestras this year. His talents are surpassed only by his work ethic and I am proud to have taught him these past seven years.

Dominick Caponegro (Grade 11, Parsippany High School; Parsippany; Nominated by Gregory Dalakian)

Dominick has been a dedicated member of our music program since even before he entered Parsippany HS! He always shows great enthusiasm and passion. He is a talented musician and has contributed his skills to all of our ensembles (Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Marching Band) on various instruments including trumpet, tuba & sousaphone, bass trombone, and even guitar. Dominick has gone on to participate in local area ensembles including the North Jersey Area Band, TubaChristmas, and has performed with classmates at local stores for PHS Band Booster fundraisers. He gives 110% to the PHS Band program, always representing PHS with Pride, Honor, and Spirit.

Neil Chopra (Grade 8, Mountain View Middle School; Mendham; Nominated by Leigh Carpenter)

Neil is a musician who performs at a level years above his age. His tone is that of a high school or college level player. He challenges himself with repertoire at that level as well. Recently he learned the All State high school audition solo and memorized all 12 scales. What is even more impressive about Neil is his maturity and focus as a learner. Neil is a consummate scholar. He is self-motivated and takes ownership of all aspects of his learning. He continually works to better himself and always asks for clarification and help. He advocates for himself, volunteering to do solos and making sure to practice consistently in order to master his music. He has participated in NJ Arts Solo and Ensemble, Junior Regions, District Honors Band, High School Wind Ensemble auditions, and performed as a soloist at our concerts. Neil is a musician and learner, and he is a fine young man of character: mature, respectful, and kind. He gets along well with his classmates and is foundational in our band sound.

Paul Ippolito (Grade 8, John Hill School; Boonton; Nominated by Yvonne Manca)

Paul has been an asset to the music program at John Hill School. He has been at every practice with great enthusiasm. He has improved greatly over the course of the past two years. He can read difficult rhythms and can play with ease over the break.

Thalia Milow (Grade 8, Frelinghuysen Middle School; Morristown; Nominated by Tim Beadle)

Thalia has been a multiinstrumentalist at FMS for three years and has never turned down a challenge. Though she arrived as a flute player she has played piano and saxophone in the jazz band as well as bassoon in the concert band and wind symphony. Though Thalia has only played bassoon for about a year and a half, she successfully auditioned for North Jersey Area Band NJSMA Jr. Region band this year. It seems no matter what she is asked to do, she works

The 2022-2023 Music Student of the Month program is supported by The Walter F. and Alice Gorham Foundation, Inc.

Outstanding Band Members

at it until she gets it. I cannot think of a better band student to represent Frelinghuysen Middle School for Music Student of the Month!

Everett Palumbo (Grade 8, Randolph Middle School; Morristown; Nominated by Tom Davidson)

Everett is consistently prepared for band rehearsals, and he serves as a musical leader for others in his section. In 7th grade, Everett auditioned for the RMS Jazz Ensemble and made the cut. Everett found that he really loved playing jazz music and liked the style and flow of it. Everett is now in 8th grade, and has successfully auditioned into the RMS Jazz Ensemble again. He had a solo in the annual Randolph Jazz Coffee House performance earlier this year. Everett is looking forward to continuing his saxophone career next year with RHS and their outstanding music ensembles. Everett loves listening to his favorite band, The Dave Matthews Band, due to their amazing saxophonist Jeff Coffin. In addition to playing music, Everett is a multi-sport student athlete, playing lacrosse, ice hockey, and soccer for Randolph. Lacrosse is Everett’s main sport; he plays on four different teams throughout the year: Randolph Recreation Lacrosse, STEPS Elite Lacrosse Club, 1More Lacrosse Select Team, and NJ Sixers Box Lacrosse Club. Everett has been chosen as the captain of his Randolph Lacrosse team this year, hoping to lead them to a championship. Even when playing sports, music helps Everett prepare for his games and helps him celebrate his achievements afterwards. Everett is an honor student and enrolled in all honors classes.

Natalie Roszkowski (Grade 8, Richard Butler Middle School; Butler; Nominated by Lyn Lowndes)

It is my great privilege to recommend Natalie Roszkowski for “Outstanding Band Member." I have known Natalie since September 2018, when she joined the Richard Butler Middle School Band. Throughout the time that I have been teaching Natalie, I have found her to be a hard worker that cares about her school band, practices her clarinet, works diligently on academics, and is kind to her peers. Natalie participates in the Concert Band, Jazz Band and has successfully auditioned on clarinet for and performed with the North Jersey Junior Area Band in both 2022, and 2023. She is also an active member of the local Girl Scout Troop in the Butler/Bloomingdale area. Natalie asks questions, takes advice and is passionate about music. She works well with her classmates, and helps them when needed.

Benjamin Sebiri (Grade 12, Morristown High School; Morristown; Nominated by David Gallagher)

Ben is the principal horn player for the Morristown High School Wind Ensemble. Throughout the year Ben has had numerous solos and exposed passages in his music and he has risen to the occasion time and time again. Ben was originally a saxophone player but took up the French Horn in high school to help the band and you would never know that it was not his primary instrument. Ben also played for both our middle school and high school pit orchestras this year. He is an incredible musician who works as a terrific leader for his section and I am so proud to have taught him these past seven years.

Sri Naranjan Gandhirajan Shivakkumar

(Grade 8, Brooklawn Middle School; Parsippany; Nominated by Joseph Stella)

Sri is one of the top musicians in our 8th grade band. He was originally a clarinetist, but when asked to help fill in a need for an oboe player last year, he rose to the occasion and began practicing even more to get very proficient on this new instrument. Although he is now playing oboe in our concert band, he still auditioned successfully into this yearʼs Intermediate Region Band on the clarinet. He can often be found around the band room practicing during lunch. This year, he has even taken on the additional challenge of learning to play the tenor saxophone for our schoolʼs jazz band and the English horn for our school musical. He is already excelling at both of those new instruments. Besides being a great musician, he is kind, respectful and a joy to teach. Sri is a fitting recipient of the Outstanding Band Member recognition.