Bucky and John Pizzarelli
Generations
Arbors Records

Ruby Braff and the Flying Pizzarellis
C'est Magnifique
Arbors Records

Aaron Weinstein and John Pizzarelli
Blue Too
Arbors Records

Aaron Weinstein
A Handful of Stars
Arbors Records

Jessica Molaskey
A Kiss To Build A Dream On
Arbors Records
By George W. Harris

Buddy DeFranco
Cookin' The Books
Arbors Records
By George W. Harris

In a recent interview with guitarist/singer John Pizzarelli, the 7
stringer mentioned his "other" life outside of recording tributes to
Sinatra, Jobim, The Beatles, Cole, and most recently Richard Rodgers.
While these records are impressive in their own right, they tend to
spotlight Pizzarelli's vocal charm as opposed to his formidable jazz
chops. In order to get in touch with his inner Eddie Lang, Pizzarelli
has frequently joined up with the mainstream label Arbors Records to
serve as a joyful sideman/partner on a slew of wonderful and varied
discs that all swing like there's no tomorrow.

"Generations" is an aptly titled disc featuring 14 strings of guitars
shared by father and son Pizzarelli. Their duets on numbers like
"Avalon", "A Sleepin' Bee" and "Rose Room" hearken back to the meetings
of Carl Kress/Dick McDonough/George Van Eps/Lonnie Johnson back in the
30s. Bucky's steady rhythm pulsing drives and pushes John in a cozy yet
challenging environment. These guys are obviously having a grand time.
Bucky's classical chops are well displayed on "Sonatina" and
"Variations and Fugue #9", but without the stuffy highbrow. A
guitarist's dream session.

Recorded back in 02, but just recently released, "C'est Magnifique"
features what was probably Ruby Braf's last recording session. Meeting
with what was then the John Pizzarelii trio (with Martin Pizzarelli/b
and Ray Kennedyp) ,father Bucky, and drummer Jim Gwinn, Ruby sounds
bouyant and up to the challenge. His tone was still a thrill to listen
to; just give a gander to "When A Man Loves A Woman" and "I Didn't
Know What Time It Was. Just gorgeous ballad playing.The cheerful
"You're A Lucky Guy" includes some clever counter melodies by the
Italian gang. Lots of fretful fun with a missed trumpet king.

You probably haven't heard of violinist Aaron Weinstein. Neither did
John P until his wife gave him a demo tape of this Venuti-inspired
teenager a number of years ago. His debut recording has him in the
heady environment of Bucky and John Pizzarelli with no less than
Houston Person on tenor (and Nicki Parrott/b with Joe Ascione/d) on a
swinging session that will have you begging for more. Weinstein is just
a monster on "Dark Eyes" and "Swingtime in the Rockies." Theres a 12
minute "Do Nothing That You Hear From Me" that features some of the
most soulful tenor you're likely to hear in a LONG time. As good a
debut as Freddy Lynn with the Red Sox.

Weinstein teams up with John Pizzarelli on a set of wonderfully
conceived duets on "Blue Too." This session truly captures the joy and
drive of the early Venuti-Lang duets that started the whole concept of
small group swing during the Depression. Harkenng back to the days when
jazz was "jass", John and Aaron have a grand old time with tunes like
"Diga Diga Doo" and "Raggin' The Scale". The cheerfulness of these
tunes, as well as sentimental ballads like "I Guess I'll Have To Change
My Plans" are the essence of what is attractive about jazz. Forget
trios-bring back the jazz duo!

Speaking of duos...how about the husband and wife team of John P with
his lovely wife, singer Jessical Molaskey. She shares not only the
radio mic with her husband (as well as cooking and cleaning chores),
but the stage as well, as they tour together promoting the values of
marriage and music. For the cd "A Kiss To Build A Dream On", Molaskey
features hubby John, brother in law Martin, father in law John and non
Italians Aaron Weinstein and Larry Fuller on Violin and drums,
respectfully. Usually associated with Broadway shows, Molaskey shows
she has the moxie to swing with the best of them. Sure, there's a share
of Sondheim ("Everybody Loves Louis" and "Isn't He Something?"), but it
works perfectly, as do cookers like the duet with hubby on "Tea For
Two." A couple of originals by the wedded duo show that they should
make a bit more beautiful music together. Good family values!

"Cookin' The Books" finds the JP3 with ex-Basie drummer Butch Miles and
ex-heavyweight champ of the clarinet Buddy DeFranco bopping through a
wonderful set of standards. It's unbelievable that DeFranco has lost
none of his chops, and his tone has actually warmed up over the years.
Name me something Italian that DOESN'T improve with age, for that
matter. Burners like "Scrapple Frojm The Apple" are off set by beauties
like "Poor Butterfly." No wonder JP is content with his Telarc
collecton of songbooks. He's able to blow out his chops on discs like
these. Take your pick-they're all doozies!