Knowing You

Performer: John Pizzarelli
Artist: Bucky Pizzarelli
Engineer: Robert Friedrich; Brian Montgomery
Producer: Robert Woods; Robert Woods
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: Personnel: John Pizzarelli (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); John Pizzarelli; Tony Monte, Ray Kennedy, Tony Monte (piano); Martin Pizzarelli (bass instrument); Jessica Molaskey (vocals); Bucky Pizzarelli (acoustic guitar); Ken Peplowski (clarinet); Harry Allen (tenor saxophone); Larry Goldings (piano, organ); C�sar Camargo Mariano (piano); Tony Tedesco (drums). Audio Mixer: Robert Friedrich. Liner Note Author: John Pizzarelli. Recording information: Avatar Studio A, New Your City (09/21/2004-09/24/2004). Arrangers: John Pizzarelli; Larry Goldings; C�sar Camargo Mariano; Tony Monte. Guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli returns with another solid collection of tastefully swinging standards on Knowing You. Never straying too far from what he does best, Pizzarelli is nonetheless an exciting improviser and pleasing vocalist who always finds a way to make an old chestnut of a tune his own. Here, his rapport with such longtime bandmates as pianist Ray Kennedy, bassist Martin Pizzarelli, and drummer Tony Tedesco is instinctual, full of humor, and filled with call-and-response interplay. To these ends, Pizzarelli has compiled an enjoyable set of well- and lesser-known standards, including the sprightly swinger "Coffee, Black," the elegantly mellow "The Shadow of Your Smile," and the sweetly unexpected Brian Wilson classic "God Only Knows." That interesting song choice and the Rupert Holmes-esque original title track also show Pizzarelli's ability to push his talents into contemporary areas without alienating his fan base. Also joining in are Pizzarelli's wife, vocalist Jessica Molaskey, along with pianist Larry Goldings, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, and others. ~ Matt Collar

Down Beat (p.68) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 - "Pizzarelli knows how to capture the essence of mood without overplaying his repertoire of musical gestures....There's little doubt that Pizzarelli is in control of his craft." JazzTimes (p.72) - "[H]is ahead-of-the-beat, scat-and-pick solos sound as tangy as ever."

One of four sons of jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, John took up the same instrument as his father and, by his late-teens, was regularly appearing with the senior Pizzarelli at performances. During the '80s he worked extensively in the New York area and by decade's end was established internationally. In the '90s Pizzarelli began singing regularly in a style influenced by Nat "King" Cole. In 1997 he led a trio in the Broadway show DREAM, a tribute to Johnny Mercer. His recordings often find him in good company, with players such as Stephane Grappelli, Benny Green and Christian McBride. A controversial 1998 album, MEETS THE BEATLES, found Pizzarelli reworking a selection of the Fab Four's songs with big band in tow.

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