The time seemed perfect for Theater Pizzazz’s Ron Fassler to get more insight into the legendary vocalist, guitarist and songwriter John Pizzarelli about his upcoming debut recording marking the 40th anniversary with Stage & Screen, a collection of fresh new takes on Broadway and Hollywood classics.
Pizzarelli will be celebrating with album release concerts Tuesday, April 25–Saturday, April 29 at Birdland, 315 W. 44th St., New York City. Joining him are the musicians from the album, bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson. Sets at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For information call 212-581-3080 or visit birdlandjazz.com
1. Your upcoming Birdland engagement will be devoted to a collection of classic songs from Broadway and Hollywood? How difficult was it for you to pare down a set list of a dozen or so? And, if so, what was the criteria you set for yourself to merit inclusion?
JP: Honestly, it was simple. When I was getting back on the road with Isaiah J. Thompson on piano and Michael Karn on bass, we began to find a new repertoire that we hadn’t explored as a group. When looking for tunes to record from this repertoire, I thought “what do these songs have in common?” It was “Stage and Screen”, and we came to the list from there.
2. Your last album was a salute to Pat Metheny? Can you elaborate on what it is about his guitar playing that made you want to devote an entire CD to his work?
JP: Because my father had basically recorded everything else, I wanted to look for a new repertoire of solo guitar material for myself. I’ve loved Pat Metheny, and with a lot of time to myself during the lockdown, I started to go over his material. When I spoke to Pat about this, he sent me the lead sheets for all the tunes I was looking for, and that was a great help in bringing this project to life. To get your hands around those tunes was amazing. The experience was just as much a grief exercise as it was making a record.
3. You have a long history of working with great artists from Frank Sinatra to James Taylor. Is there someone who would have been your dream to duet with live in an intimate setting?
JP: I’d still like to play duets with Pat Metheny. I’ve been very fortunate to play with pretty much everyone I’ve wanted to play with, but Pat Metheny would be way up there.
4. What are your insights into scatting when performing? Does it sometimes take you to places you don’t plan? Does the improvisatory nature of it leave room for surprise, or one must be fairly disciplined when going off on a riff?
JP: For me, the guitar leads the voice. Sometimes it leads me places that I don’t plan to go. But I like that it can be like a lead trumpet above the fray, and it can also be something really cool inside of a medium tempo song. You’ve got to be disciplined on it, but it can be surprising and fun to do at the same time.
5. In the last show you did at the Carlyle you expounded on old haunts in New York City that are no longer here like the Ballroom and Michael’s Pub. Is there one in particular you would go back to if you had the chance in a time machine and why would it be the choice among so many?
JP: I really liked Michael’s Pub because I loved their bar and loved the vibe of the place. It was especially fun when I got to see Mel Torme there. Michael’s Pub was a great spot, and one I really enjoyed. Around the 60s, I liked the Italian restaurant Gino’s on the East Side. It was really fantastic. For clubs, the Ballroom was great too. I got to play there with a big band and I got to see Peggy Lee there. It was exciting. It’s just amazing the places that those kinds of people worked at.
6. The Covid stop gap for live performers was fraught with uncertainty and anxiety. You delved in and performed on Facebook with a verve that was inspiring. What lessons did you take away from it all?
JP: It gave me something to look forward to! It was just as much for me as it was for the people who listened to it. It was great to have a place to play music for people that were asking to hear it. It was inspiring for me to see that people were aiming for it every Thursday. Music is an amazing thing, and I could tell from the comments I was receiving that playing it provided as much for me as it did for people who were listening. It was just wonderful.
7. Finally, besides the show being a salute to songs of Broadway and Hollywood, is there anything about this Birdland gig that might surprise your longtime fans?
JP: This won’t come as a surprise, but you’re going to love Isaiah J. Thompson on the piano. He is a force to be reckoned with. We’re getting back at it, and with Mike Karn on bass, myself, and Isaiah, I think we’re as vibrant and fresh as ever. That part is really fun.
Thanks for your questions!
Photos: Jaci Berkopec
