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  • JOHN PIZZARELLI MAKES HIS WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL DEBUT WITH FRANK SINATRA TRIBUTE
  • Mar. 16, 2008
  • “Dear Mr. Sinatra” Concert is the Final Installment of the LA Phil’s 2007/08 Songbook Series

    SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2008, AT 7:30 PM

    Prime American Songbook revivalist John Pizzarelli presents a cool and charming evening in his Walt Disney Concert Hall debut on Sunday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. In a celebration of fellow Italian American and New Jersey native Frank Sinatra, Pizzarelli, accompanied by a big band and backed by his trio, performs songs written for “Ol’ Blue Eyes” from his tribute album, Dear Mr. Sinatra, such as “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “Nice and Easy,” as well as some of the legend’s lesser-known songs. The concert is part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 2007/08 Songbook series.

    Pizzarelli has recorded more than 20 albums since his debut release in 1990. He prides himself on not merely performing old standards, but in moving music forward by putting his own unique spin on it. In addition to his busy touring schedule, Pizzarelli co-hosts the nationally syndicated radio program “Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli” along with his wife and Broadway star, Jessica Molaskey.

    Each year since its inception, the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Songbook series has brought audiences some of the most cherished evenings of song. John Pizzarelli: “Dear Mr. Sinatra” is the final show of the 2007/08 series.

    JOHN PIZZARELLI has cultivated a winning international career by singing classic standards and late-night ballads, and by playing sublime and inventive guitar. He brings to work the cool jazz flavor of his brilliant guitar playing using greats like Nat “King” Cole and Frank Sinatra and the songs of writers like Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen as touchstones. Born on April 6, 1960, in Paterson, New Jersey, Pizzarelli began playing guitar at the age of 6, following in the tradition of his father, guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli. He began playing with his father at age 20 before going out on his own. Since 1992, the John Pizzarelli Trio has toured extensively. In 1993, they opened for Frank Sinatra’s international tour and then joined in the celebration for Sinatra’s 80th birthday at Carnegie Hall. He has recorded as a bandleader for RCA, Chesky, Stash and Novus, and, in 1997, appeared in the Broadway musical Dream, a revue of Johnny Mercer songs. Pizzarelli’s catalog of albums includes a touching cycle of torch ballads (After Hours), an album featuring originals along with classic jazz and swing (Our Love is Here to Stay), a Christmas collection (Let’s Share Christmas) and a tribute to the Nat “King” Cole Trio (Dear Mr. Cole). On one of his last projects for RCA, John Pizzarelli Meets the Beatles, he brought classic Beatles songs into the worlds of swing and smoky balladry. Pizzarelli signed with the Grammy-winning label Telarc International at the end of 1999, and, in February 2000, debuted Kisses in the Rain, a diverse set of standards and original tunes that showcases the spontaneity of his live performances within a studio setting. Pizzarelli’s familiarity with the American Songbook is so complete that even his own songs — “I Wouldn’t Trade You” and the title ballad — sound at home beside classics such as Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm,” Dorothy Fields’ “I’m In The Mood For Love,” and Jimmy Van Heusen’s “I Thought About You.” To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the John Pizzarelli Trio, Live at Birdland was released in April 2003. This two-CD set includes two James Taylor tracks (“Mean Old Man” and “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight”), Gershwin’s “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” Rodgers and Hart’s “Manhattan,” a pair of Rosemary Clooney staples (“Moonlight Becomes You” and “Will You Still Be Mine”), three originals and a classic rendition of one of Pizzarelli’s signature numbers, “I Like Jersey Best.” Also in 2003 Pizzarelli led a 40-member live orchestra at Radio City Music Hall in Sinatra: His Voice, His World, His Way. In July 2006, Telarc released Dear Mr. Sinatra, Pizzarelli’s tribute CD to “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” featuring the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. The CD features classic standards like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “Nice And Easy,” as well as rarely-recorded songs like “Ring A Ding Ding” and “The Last Dance.” In addition to being a bandleader and solo performer, Pizzarelli has been a special guest on recordings for major pop names such as James Taylor, Natalie Cole, Tom Wopat, Rickie Lee Jones and Dave Von Ronk, as well as leading jazz artists like Rosemary Clooney, Ruby Braff, Johnny Frigo, Buddy DeFranco, Harry Allen and, of course, Bucky Pizzarelli. He was recently featured opposite Donna Summer, Jon Secada and Roberta Flack on the Grammy-winning CD, Songs From The Neighborhood: The Music of Mr. Rogers.

    The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable places anywhere to experience music — Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to a 30-week winter subscription season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil presents a 12-week summer festival at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the Association’s involvement with Los Angeles extends to educational programs, community concerts and children's programming, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.

    EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

    SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2008, at 7:30 PM


    WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles



    Songbook Series



    John Pizzarelli: “Dear Mr. Sinatra”



    JOHN PIZZARELLI

    Tickets ($35-95) are on sale now online at LAPhil.com, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full-time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 10 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For information, please call 323.850.2000.

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  • Contact:

    Adam Crane, 213.972.3422, acrane@laphil.org; Lisa White, 213.972.3408, lwhite@laphil.org; Photos: 213.972.3034