World on a String: A Musical Memoir

by John Pizzarelli, Joseph Cosgriff, Jonathan Schwartz (Foreword)

Behind the scenes in the life of a musician—an exuberant, entertaining memoir from jazz guitarist, singer, and raconteur John Pizzarelli John Pizzarelli, the son of jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli, is a connoisseur of American song who grew up among the legends of jazz. From teenage explorations of rock music to life on the road with his father, he worked his way from gigs in tiny clubs to opening for Frank Sinatra during his final international tour. Now Pizzarelli performs in festivals and top venues across the United States and the world, and he shares his unique journey in this revealing, charming, and heartwarming memoir. Absorbing, upbeat, funny, and down to earth, World on a String is an irresistible celebration of music and life that will appeal to John Pizzarelli's large and growing following.

Genres: Biography, Music, Memoir

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2012

Reviews

[MICHAEL · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderfully fun read with tons of anecdotes and stories from the road and the stage. The early chapters of life in the Pizzarelli house filled with generations of musicians are tremendous and a real window into a long gone era. Later as the narrative shifts to the professional career of John, the stories of the big names (Sinatra, McCartney, Taylor, to name a few) are charming. John tells a good story and has lived quite a life. Their is a fascinating appendix of sorts that lists the 50 tracks that he would put on the desert island juke box. I am slowing working through that list on my apple music cloud.

[Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It was a fun diversion, and being a musician myself, I had a great appreciation for many of the things Pizzarelli went through. Along with the hard times, though, he had some unbelievably amazing experiences with world class musicians and performers. Is it a life to be envied? Certainly in some ways, but the life of a musician on the road is a hard one. I admire his talent and creativity, and his ability to hold his family together through it all. I must say I envy his relationship with his father and the fact that he not only learned his art from his father, but was able to work and perform with him for so long. What a blessing that is.

I thought there were times that he gloried in the name dropping that he was able to do, but on the other hand, what musician would not give most anything for a chance to work with the likes of James Taylor, Paul McCartney, Rosemary Clooney and Frank flipping Sinatra??? Yeh, he worked/works with the big guns, and that was very fun to hear about.

When all is said and done, this book has to be about the kind of musician Pizzarelli is himself. He is totally upper echelon, there is no doubt about that. Don't believe me? Go listen to him on Youtube. You will believe.

[Luke Southard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me paint a picture: I’m taking my oldest to their very first jazz show. I’ve only been to a few, but they’re my favorite kinds of concerts because audiences seem respectful and there to enjoy musicians performing at their peaks (rather than people looking to party while musicians perform in the background). We parked in downtown Waikiki and were walking, they in a very nice dress and me in a suit and both looking VERY out of place amongst tourists and locals in tee shirts and board shorts, and I was explaining how to be polite at a concert.

We get the venue and were seated in a booth and the show starts. John Pizzarelli comes out with his band and plays amazingly, but messes up the last little bit of Paper Moon. I honestly don’t think most people caught it and the few that did didn’t mind. John’s got a warm, vibrant personality that radiates from the stage and you’re just stoked he’s there. But he says he messed up and he’s not going to be able to sleep tonight if they don’t do that little bit again and he does it flawlessly.

Between songs he tells fantastic stories and my oldest is enamored. He says that nobody likes his Beatles album and after the show my oldest told him that he should be nicer to himself because THEY liked the Beatles album and if they do, others surely do, too.

Watching John was a revelation for me, personally. I’m an ukulele player and that show let me know what I wanted to do when I retire (play in restaurants, weddings, office parties, etc as a solo ukulele player and have fun like John does).

As an aside, John pulled down a uke from behind him and strummed a few chords and it sounded amazing. I’m really hoping he records something with the uke in the future like Lyle Ritz did because even these casual seconds he spent with it blew my mind.

I brought this book - a fantastic collection of stories from him that’s been highlighted like crazy by me - and when he saw that I had it he said “so you’re the one that bought my book!”

Such a charmer.

Without a doubt, he put on the best show I’ve ever seen. My oldest walked out saying they wanted EVERY CD he ever made and how they can’t wait to see them again. I walked out with a plan for my future.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just plain great. Audiobook is read by the author. Written long prior to the death of his father Bucky, a key figure in the book, who passed away near the beginning of the Wuhan Virus pandemic.

This is a fascinating, detailed autobiography of an important figure in the jazz music scene. Because of Bucky, the book goes back and covers the greats of the big band era and the mid-sixties when Pizzarelli, Sr. played for the Tonight Show band when Johnny Carson hosted the show in New York.

We follow the author from learning guitar from relatives and friends of his dad though today's creative journey, and learn how he has earned an esteemed place in the music community. So you get Zoot Sims, Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, and a long list of other artists he knew and worked with, most of whom you'd be well advised to check out for your own listening pleasure.

This book is a must-listen for those who are considering working in music, and want to do so with integrity, dedication, and taste. If you've ever listened to his "Radio Deluxe" program, you know that Pizzarelli is sort of a curator/evangelist for fine music, as well as an artist. His tribute albums to figures like Nat King Cole ("For Centennial Reasons"), Sinatra/Jobim, Duke Ellington and others make that clear.

If you've seen Pizzarelli in a small concert or jazz cruise, you already know that this is a funny, personable guy who really connects with his audience. The book also brings you along as a companion on his travels. So after the big Sinatra concert in Carnegie Hall you're with him when his car gets locked up in a parking garage, he needs a ride back home to Jersey, and he calls upon a friend working an overnight radio shift, with astounding results.

You'll love this (audio)book!

[Brenda Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love love love JP! Too many names in this book for me. I skim read it in a day. He’s so funny and I wish there were more personal life stories as this was all professional.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of John Pizzarelli, this book is a feast of stories and insights into his life, his career, his quirks, his warmth, and his humour. For jazz aficionados, it is packed with names and places that will resonate and provide context. I'm a Pizzarelli (and Molaskey) fan, but not especially knowledgeable about the jazz scene; no matter, my interest has been piqued, and names and stories from this book will enrich my future experience. My husband and I have gone to shows with John, as well as with John and Jessica, both here in Vancouver and in NYC, at that elegant venue, Cafe Carlyle. This book adds a personal dimension to the performances, and I thank John Pizzaman Pizzarelli for writing it.

[Scott Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy John Pizzarelli's music, particularly his 1994 CD New Standards. So this memoir was a great insight into him and his influences. A lot of the book deals with his heros and influences from his father to Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, up through James Taylor and Paul McCartney, all of whom he has played with. He is in awe of them, as well as of his band mates. Best part of the book is the humor. He cracks jokes constantly. My favorite is where he names the bands he was in during high school and then the bands he wish he was in, such as "smorgasborgnine." If you like John Pizzarelli, you'll enjoy this book.

[Ehuerte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big fan of John Pizzarelli & admittedly that made me more patient with the somewhat rambling, stream of consciousness writing since I could hear his voice from his endearing & entertaining ramblings between songs ( Gosh I just rambled a bit myself)

Dizzying detail as far as influences & acquaintences. I see myself referring back to this book for new musicians & venues to check out.

I do hope to catch the quartet in Paris, but also hope they stay active stateside so I can hear them regularly for years to come

[Herzog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nicely done. I'm a big fan of Jonathan Schwartz. Pizzarelli paints loving and illuminating tributes to Zoot Sims, Benny Goodman, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, James Taylor, Paul McCartney and, of course, his father, Bucky Pizzarelli. I very much enjoyed his ode to the Cafe Carlyle including his tribute to Bobby Short. Pizzarelli is correct in that Bobby Short always made seeing him feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The end of the book was a very nice touch including 50 of his favorite recordings in addition to other favorites.

[Victor Caamaño · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure if someone who wasn't a fan of "The Pizzarelli's" would give it 5 stars? I am and I did. It's written like John speaks. Laugh out loud and brought a tear (sometimes at the same time). I grew up in Brooklyn in the late 60-70s. I also enjoyed Peter Frampton and Maynard Ferguson. I met John and Bucky in 1980 at Town Hall (I was a stage manager for George Wein) and I saw them again in Albany 12/27/13 (even bought a drink for Martin and Bucky). Fabulous book, fabulous family. I'm envious of the father-son relationship. Happiness!

[Joe Matson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light, fun read from a music insider. The amount of names, songs, and venues is overwhelming, but Pizzarelli somehow succeeds in presenting them as stories, rather than as a long list of his many accomplishments. The writing is more casual than what I expect from a non-fiction book, and I would be hard pressed to say what I learned by reading it, but it was enjoyable.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining biography by one of my favorite 'Great American Songbook' jazz musicians. Great anecdotes, and informative, as well. Just saw his quartet again last night - wonderful show!!

[Babi Mendes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun! Love his music and now I do believe that great musicians are great storytellers.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only read Pizzarelli's outstanding memoir but also downloaded the audio version. Both versions are joyus and very entertaining. He is an excellent storyteller besides being a top-shelf musician.

[Melanie Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a raconteur! Every bit as engaging as his performances and radio show. I'll be in line for Part 2 when he writes it.

[Bob Claster]

I love Johnny Piz!