Episode Overview

Podcast: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: John Pizzarelli (Grammy-winning guitarist/vocalist)
Air Date: March 5, 2026
Theme:
This episode is a live musical tribute to Tony Bennett in celebration of what would have been his 100th birthday. Celebrated jazz guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli joins Alison Stewart in studio to perform selections from his newly released album “Dear Mr. Bennett,” share stories about his personal and family connections to Bennett, and reflect on the cultural impact and artistry of the iconic singer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening & John Pizzarelli’s Personal Connection to Tony Bennett

• Pizzarelli discusses inspirations for his tribute album and his deep admiration for Tony Bennett, heightened by a family connection: his father, famed guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, played on numerous Bennett recordings.
  • Quote (04:48): “When I heard him open with it, I was at a function in Toronto that he was performing at... That was a great way. I thought he started the show. I thought it was a good way to kick off the record.” – John Pizzarelli

2. Live Performance – “Watch What Happens”

• [02:25–04:26]
  John Pizzarelli delivers a live rendition of “Watch What Happens,” a song often used by Bennett to open his concerts.
  • Quote (04:48): “I thought it was a good way to kick off the record. It’s Michel Legrand and Norman Gimbel who wrote that song.” – John Pizzarelli

3. Early Encounters & Bennett’s Influence

• Pizzarelli recounts his first time seeing Bennett perform at Radio City (1985, “Art of Excellence” tour).

  • Bennett famously sang off-mic to 6,000 people, enchanting the crowd with his pure voice.
  • Quote (05:40): “The orchestra came out of the pit...and even in the middle of the show he turned off the microphone and he sang to 6,000 people without the microphone on.” – John Pizzarelli

• Discusses how Bennett was an ongoing presence in the New York music scene, both on radio and within musician circles.

  • Quote (06:24): “Tony was always on our radar... he just had those amazing records and from the radio here in New York, New York radio constantly played all those.”

4. Family Connections & Bennett as Artist

• Pizzarelli’s father’s studio sessions with Bennett at Columbia 30th St. studio, a legendary spot for jazz.
• Bennett’s skill as a visual artist:
  • Often sketched fellow musicians or audience members during performances (John recalls Bennett sketching him at the Oak Room in 1991).
  • Quote (07:14): “He would sit and write on a napkin, if he had one... he was quite good at what he did.” – John Pizzarelli

5. Live Performance – “Because of You”

• [08:35–11:11]
  Pizzarelli performs one of Bennett’s earliest hits, “Because of You.”

6. Bennett’s Interpretive Artistry & Approach to Ballads

• Discussion on Bennett’s ability to connect deeply with lyrics and melodies, drawing from nuanced phrasing and emotional intelligence.
  • Cites “You Must Believe in Spring” (collaboration with Bill Evans) as a “master class” in vocal interpretation.
  • Quote (11:29): “There’s a conversational quality to the way he connects that wild lyric to the melody...he knows so understands what he’s singing and...how to be intimate with it too.”
• Reflections on Bennett’s 1990s resurgence and how his authenticity appealed to younger generations.
  • Quote (12:47): “He was so genuine...he knew that the material he was gonna present was top notch and he could do that to anybody.” – John Pizzarelli

7. Song Selection and Album Construction

• Challenges of narrowing six decades of music into a 12-song album.
  • Quote (13:08): “There’s only 60 years worth of material, so it’s easy, that’s all.” – John Pizzarelli (laughing)
• Pizzarelli aimed for a cross-section, selecting both classics and less expected material and adapting them for his jazz trio.

8. Bennett’s Connection to New York

• Discussion of Bennett as an embodiment of New York’s spirit—approachable, beloved, genuine.
  • Quote (14:30): “I feel like New Yorkers, they just respected Tony Bennett walking down the street...it’s not a tough city, it’s a beautiful [one]. And Tony embodied that.” – John Pizzarelli

9. Live Performance – “Firefly”

• [15:07–16:28]
  Pizzarelli performs “Firefly,” highlighting Bennett’s knack for uncovering unique material by songwriters like Cy Coleman & Carolyn Leigh.

10. Legacy: Recommended Listening & Pizzarelli’s “13th Song”

• Pizzarelli recommends listeners dig into Bennett’s less obvious catalog and his work with songwriters such as Cy Coleman, Carolyn Leigh, and others.
• If adding a 13th track, he’d include “Moments Like This” or “I Used to Be Colorblind”—the latter connected to his father via the “Life is Beautiful” album.
  • Quote (17:24): “There was a song called Moments like this that I really liked...and Irving Berlin’s I Used to Be Colorblind from an album called Life is Beautiful. My dad was on that record playing rhythm guitar with the orchestra.”

11. Looking Forward: More Bennett Celebrations

• Additional material to be released later (“P.S. Mr. Bennett” in August at Birdland), continuing the centennial celebrations.
  • Quote (17:46): "We'll be back at Birdland in August and we'll have an extra five tracks that we recorded for the record. So It'll be a 'P.S. Mr. Bennett' in August.”

12. Audience Connection and Performance Reflections

• Pizzarelli describes performing Bennett’s songs as a personal adventure, and notes the unique attentiveness and emotional response from his audiences.
  • Quote (18:08): “It’s a very personal adventure, what the songs have to say...there’s really a reaction to this music, that it’s a little more personal, I think, for people than some of the other things I’ve done. And I’m quite moved by it.”

13. Live Performance – “Waltz for Debby”

• [18:47–20:20]
  Pizzarelli performs “Waltz for Debby,” dedicating it as a personal favorite and mentioning his daughter’s upcoming wedding.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Pizzarelli on Tony Bennett’s authenticity:
  “He was just a genuine New York figure. He was a great singer and just an amazing interpreter...and a really superior interpreter of song.” [08:02]
• On Bennett’s artistry beyond music (sketches):
  “He would sit and write on a napkin, if he had one...and then he brought a book with him. He was quite good at what he did.” [07:14]
• On performance magic:
  “Even in the middle of the show he turned off the microphone and he sang to 6,000 people without the microphone on. That was pretty cool.” [05:40]
• On the reaction to Bennett’s music:
  “There’s something about the audiences really sitting on the edge of their seats and listening to the music...I’m quite moved by it.” [18:08]
• Personal touch:
  “My daughter’s getting married in August...this is one of those personal songs.” [18:41] (on “Waltz for Debby”)

Important Performance & Discussion Timestamps

• [02:25] – “Watch What Happens” (Live performance)
• [05:11] – Reminiscence of first Bennett concert
• [08:35] – “Because Of You” (Live performance)
• [11:29] – On Bennett’s mastery of ballads
• [12:39] – Discussion of Bennett’s MTV Unplugged resurgence
• [15:07] – “Firefly” (Live performance)
• [18:47] – “Waltz for Debby” (Live performance)
• [20:20] – Conversation wrap-up and gratitude

Conclusion

In this heartfelt musical and conversational tribute, John Pizzarelli honors Tony Bennett by sharing both personal stories and electric live performances. Through anecdotes and artful explanations, the episode celebrates Bennett’s genius as both a singer and an interpreter of song, his ties to New York, and his profound effect on generations of musicians and listeners. Pizzarelli’s genuine affection for Bennett, combined with thoughtful conversation and a rich setlist, makes this episode a must for fans of classic vocal jazz and New York culture alike.