John Pizzarelli Likes Jersey Best, at the Bickford in Morris Township

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The best line from John Pizzarelli’s weekend show at the Bickford involved his dad, jazz guitar icon Bucky Pizzarelli, who was in the audience. John’s account:

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK: John Pizzarelli with his dad, 91-year-old jazz great Bucky Pizzarelli, at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK: John Pizzarelli with his dad, 91-year-old jazz great Bucky Pizzarelli, at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

One of Bucky’s biggest fans made him promise to perform at his funeral when the time came. The time came. Bucky dutifully drove to the funeral parlor and played something appropriately tasteful.

No, no, no, his hosts said. The deceased would have wanted something upbeat. Play your favorite song, Bucky was told.  And what might that song be, his son inquired years later?

Pick Yourself Up,” Bucky replied.

The evening’s funniest song, of course, was John’s I Like Jersey Best.

It must have made Don Jay Smith feel right at home. Don, co-producer of the Morristown Jazz and Blues Festival, is perhaps best known for his years promoting the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

John Pizzarelli does John Cash at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
John Pizzarelli does John Cash at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

In his song, John managed to impersonate just about every member of that hallowed hall–along with key members of the Rock and Roll-, Country-, Folk-, Jazz- and Soul halls of fame. 

He may have covered the Baseball Hall of Fame, too; we’ll have to review the video.

Apologies in advance if the footage looks a little shaky. The cameraman was laughing pretty hard.

Stay tuned for more from this show.

JOHN PIZZARELLI AT THE BICKFORD

Slideshow photos by Kevin Coughlin

John Pizzarelli does John Cash at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
JAZZ ROYALTY: Grover Kemble, John Pizzarelli, Bucky Pizzarelli and Don Jay Smith at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
John Pizzarelli cracks a joke at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Konrad Paszkudzki takes a piano solo at John Pizzarelli show at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
I KNOW IT'S THERE! John Pizzarelli at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
John Pizzarelli and Grover Kemble at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
John Pizzarelli makes a point at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Grover Kemble, John Pizzarelli and Bucky Pizzarelli at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
John Pizzarelli, raconteur, at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Jerry Vezza and John Pizzarelli at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
John Pizzarelli shares a story at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Author Guy Sterling and jazz pianist Jerry Vezza at John Pizzarelli show at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
John Pizzarelli gets a glance from Konrad Paszkudzki at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK: John Pizzarelli with his dad, 91-year-old jazz great Bucky Pizzarelli, at the Bickford, April 1, 2017. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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