John Pizzarelli

When Tony Bennett passed away in 2023, the world of music lost a beloved singer whose seven-decade career touched virtually every corner of American popular music. For Grammy winning guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli, the loss was deeply personal: his late father was a frequent Bennett sideman, and Bennett himself sketched Pizzarelli’s portrait on two occasions. One of those drawings graces the cover of Dear Mr. Bennett, his loving new tribute album.

• A Centennial Worth Celebrating: Released in March 2026 and followed by a five-song EP timed to Bennett’s August 3rd centennial, the album spans the full arc of his catalog. From the sprightly “Watch What Happens” to the trademark yearning of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” Pizzarelli and his trio bring warmth, soulful balladry, and embracing swing to songs that have never stopped meaning something.
• A Trio in Dazzling Form: Joined by bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson, Pizzarelli performs with the chemistry that only comes from years of playing together, and the result feels like a celebration and a farewell all at once.
• A Personal Connection Like No Other: Pizzarelli has spent his career honoring the great musicians who shaped American music. In Bennett he found not only one of the century’s greatest singers, but a warm, generous New Yorker who made everyone around him feel like the music was something shared.