Jazz Police

They had never met professionally but their Dakota debut might be remembered as one of the most successful blind dates in recent jazz history. Two masters of swing, two generations apart, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and pianist Benny Green are back at the Dakota September 28-29 for a live recording session that will hopefully capture the magic of their first meeting in early August. [Click here for a review of the August show.]

“Benny Green could be the monster pianist of the 21st century.” Thus prophesized no less than the incomparable Joanne Brackeen in describing the Oscar Peterson protégé. Now 44, Green followed his lineage (dad was a jazz saxophonist), playing with Eddie Henderson as a teenager before joining Betty Carter, then Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, and then Freddie Hubbard. In 1993 Oscar Peterson chose Green as the first recipient of the City of Toronto's Glen Gould International Protégé Prize in Music. Shortly thereafter, Green replaced Gene Harris in Ray Brown's Trio, working with the veteran bassist until 1997. From that point on, Benny resumed his freelance career, leading his own trios and performing solo piano. After recording for Criss Cross and Blue Note in the 1990s, Green moved to Telarc in 2000. His most recent releases are two duo sets with guitarist Russell Malone, with whom he tours when not busy with vocalist Belinda Underwood’s ensemble and his own solo efforts. Citing his key influences as Art Tatum, Erroll Garner, Hank Jones, Ahmad Jamal, Phineas Newborn, Bud Powell and Oscar Peterson, Green summarizes his approach to jazz as “…to just swing and have fun, and share those feelings with the audience … and if I'm able to convey that, then I feel like I'm doing something positive.” Benny has appeared a number of times at the Dakota, most recently with vocalist/bassist Belinda Underwood and in March as part of the Ray Brown Tribute band with Christian McBride and Greg Hutchinson.

Bucky Pizzarelli©Andrea Canter

Bucky Pizzarelli is a veteran of nearly six decades of touring and studio sessions, one of the most popular swing guitarists. Exposed to music early through his uncles who were professional musicians, the New Jersey native became a self-taught master of the banjo and seven-string guitar. On staff of NBC from the early 50s (where he played with Doc Severinson’s band) and later with ABC, he also worked with the Three Sounds and toured with Benny Goodman. In the 1970s, he performed in duo with George Barnes and worked with Zoot Sims, Bud Freeman, and Stéphane Grappelli. Since the 1980s, he has often performed and recorded with son, guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli. He also has performed with this other musical offspring, bassist Martin Pizzarelli and classical guitarist Mary. Bucky plays classical guitar himself and is now Emeritus faculty of William Paterson College.

Having never met prior to their sound check at the Dakota on August 4th, Benny and Bucky proceeded to plant a most delightful, alternately swinging and exquisite garden of instrumental music through their four-set pas de deux. Like my raspberries, there’s a second crop of tasty delights coming our way when Benny and Bucky return, this time with the tapes rolling and their mutual affection engaging everyone in earshot.

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Recommendations highly recommended—call 612-332-1010 or book online at www.dakotacooks.com

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