Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington, MA
December 7, 2019
by Lisa M. Covi
 |
| John Pizzarelli |
John Pizzarelli Big Band packed the Mahaiwe for what is an annual
show. Pizzarelli vocalized with his jazz guitar while fronting a 16-piece
orchestra that performed fresh takes on classic, but wide-ranging selections. A
consummate entertainer, Pizzarelli connected with familiar fans and new
audience members via stories of his distinguished career, amusing patter and
even a vaudevillian “spit-take.” His repertoire, customized arrangements of
American songbook classics, conveyed his group's mastery of swing, call and
response, and tight improvisations.
Some featured performers included Andy Fusco, a saxophonist
who previously played with Buddy Rich, John Mosca on trombone, and Konrad
Pazkudzki on piano. Pizzarelli's wife, Jessica Molaskey, who appears with him
on his weekly “Radio Deluxe” show and contributed lyrics to his arrangement of
Tizo's “Perdito,” was unfortunately home with a cold and did not appear. Pizzarelli
dominates with his personality and performance, but he is also quick to credit
contribution and skill to his band.
Aside from the novelty selection “I Like Jersey Best,”
little of the music was composed less than 50 years ago. Another exception, “Nat
King Cool” from the 2019 album, “For Centennial Reasons,” is the third tribute
he's released to the iconic jazzman that inspired Pizzarelli. At the top of the
show, Sinatra-style vocals on “Love is Here to Stay” was a little slow for my
taste, but I was swept away by Brandon Lee's soulful trumpet solo and the sweet
quote at the end of the song. The first set ended with Holiday selections such
as Leroy Anderson's “Sleigh Ride,” substituting rhythmic horn bleats for the
famous whip crack. The second set started with several Johnny Mercer pieces
including a particularly expressive performance of “Come Rain, Come Shine.”
During a pause in Duke Ellington's “C. Jam Blues,” toe tapping in the audience
was audible.
Improvisations tended to be note-heavy and fast in tempo.
During several call and response passages, the musicians seamlessly passed the
solos back and forth. Each instrument was separately amplified and the mixer
let us hear the highlighted musicians with only a few slips. Pizzarelli's voice
was a bit nasal at first but within the first few numbers opened up as he
demonstrated his mastery of scatting the notes he plays with technical
proficiency. Overall, the evening was dependably and vastly enjoyable
entertainment by dynamic performers who brought New Jersey charm with stylistic
big band flair. The energy, enthusiasm, and swing of Pizzarelli's Big Band made
timeless songs relevant and real.
