NEW YORK – John Pizzarelli and the Swing 7 at Birdland
When John Pizzarelli and his band are on stage, every note of music is luxurious, melodic, and enticing, calling to the heart. His voice is relaxed and beautiful. His scatting adds another level to the syncopation and will have you tapping your feet and bouncing with joy. Joy is what John Pizzarelli and The Swing 7 deliver. We are in their presence relaxed, happy, and with no care in the world.
John Pizzarelli & The Swing 7 at Birdland Jazz Club is one of those wonderful treasures that we get to experience here in NYC! He is a beautiful swinger with smooth vocals, and his tone feels like a glide. His voice, guitar and fabulous scatting ability create a third instrument he’s mastered. He’s a sublime performer, and his music connects to what is the best of us.
The evening’s setlist included songs from the great American songbook: She Was Too Good To Me, Johnny One Note, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Baubles Bangles and Beads, and more.
The songs are meditative and welcoming, with some wonderful humorous, catchy, and kitschy lyrics that had all at Birdland cheering and smiling, happy to be sharing this marvelous man and his tremendous band with one another.
The band is made up of some of New York City’s best musicians: John Mosca on the trombone, Tony Kadleck on the trumpet, Kenny Berger on the baritone sax, Chris Byars on alto sax, Michael Karn on the bass, and Aaron Kimmel on drums.
Pianist Isaiah Thompson has been playing piano with Pizzarelli since his early 20s. He is now only 27 and a musician to keep your eyes and ears on. (Here he is playing at an NPR Tiny Desk Concert.) Pizzarelli is a champion of musicians. That is the man he is, the musician and the artist extraordinary in helping others.
Whenever, wherever Pizzarelli is performing, go go go!
John Pizzarelli and the Swing 7 at Birdland
Birdland Jazz Club
315 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 581-3080
For info and tickets, click HERE.
Readers may also enjoy our reviews of Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp: Celebrating Friendship and History, Yachtly Crew, Opera in the Garden by ON SITE OPERA, Norm Lewis at 54 Below, Tony Danza, Meg Okura at the Met Museum, Laura Benanti at the Minetta Lane Theater, Brazilian Jazz at Le Bab Ilo in Paris, and Marilyn Maye birthday celebration at 54 Below.