Jazz Guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli Dead at 94 Following Coronavirus Diagnosis




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John opened up to the Morristown Daily Record about his dad, remarking on his storied career in the music business and saying that he “had so much to give to people.”

“He was the ultimate sideman,” said John. “He wasn’t looking to be the guy out in front of the band. He was happy to be inside the band, supporting the whole organization.”

Added John: “The length and breadth of the work with all the different people was a testament to how hard he worked at it. Everybody from Benny Goodman and Les Paul to Carly Simon, Janis Ian and Paul McCartney — all kinds of people requested his services because he was the best at what he did.”

In an interview with the website thelastmiles.com, Bucky reflected on his expansive career — and marveled at how music had evolved in front of his eyes.

“When I listen to the television and hear a studio band, I couldn’t play one note with any of those bands,” he said. “They’ve changed the whole style around! They don’t compete with us, they just changed the whole thing around. … Guitars in the hands of these kids today are weapons!”

Bucky also said that his motto was to get up every day and “try to correct what I screwed up the night before. That’s my theory. I prepare for the next time.”

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