
Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli has enjoyed visits by many memorable guests since its first show on December 3, 2005. Regis Philbin dropped by on Christmas weekend; Janis Siegel, of the Manhattan Transfer, brought biscotti; Margaret Whiting broke into a live song about her "Uncle Johnny" Mercer; Liza loved what John and Jessie had done with the apartment; Keely Smith told about being engaged to Frank Sinatra; and Stacey Kent revealed her favorite ski resorts and why none of them are in Holland. Other guests have been Tony Danza, Steve Tyrell, Kenny Rankin, Peter Cincotti, Ann Hampton Callaway, and of course, the members of the John Pizzarelli Quartet, along with daughter Madeline Pizzarelli and her grandfather, Bucky Pizzarelli.
It’s a pleasant day in May (as most of them are) and John & Jessica are once again in the deluxe living room, with the sun streaming through the windows, listening to music as beautiful as the weather.
Jazz musicians like Beatles songs and, as it turns out, Paul McCartney liked John’s Beatles album. This week’s program features John and Paul (that’s Pizzarelli and McCartney), along with George, Wes, Larry, Rene and many other artists that you’ll enjoy.
Featured this week are a trio of double play-play-plays. John and Jessica play two songs by the very hip Jackie and Roy, two songs from “The Intimate Ella,” and two songs written by Richard Maltby and David Shire. And in between, Jessica talks about three shows she saw during the past week. It’s all here on Radio Deluxe!
John & Jessica are going through their things and getting rid of stuff, all the while getting sidetracked by favorite CDs that they come across.
John & Jessica have recently been working with, and inspired by musicians who are in their 80’s. Annie Ross, Dave Frishberg, and Bucky Pizzarelli are still making beautiful music. And we get to sample some of it today, along with some other favorite songs, including the new, the obscure, and a few about baseball.
April 6th is John’s birthday; and this year he spends his 53rd birthday swapping songs and stories with Jessica. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
John & Jessica announced that they are playing songs that are both instrumental and metal, and sentimental, incidental; and they may even serve up some lentils. They can fit pretty much any song into this category.
Every year John & Jessica get excited about the arrival of spring, as so many songwriters have for a very long time. Our hosts’ fondness for the season is expressed in the songs they have chosen for this year’s first show of spring.
The spirit of Jonathan Schwartz still lingered in the deluxe living room as John & Jessica sat down and drew upon their musical knowledge to create another perfect playlist.
Well-known New York radio personality Jonathan Schwartz visits the deluxe living room, and the stories flow freely.
John entertains us with an assortment of his favorite records, one of which is Benny Goodman’s “Slipped Disc.” It’s a rather circuitous route to get there, but John narrates all along the way and back again.
Movies and movie music is the subject of this program for Academy Awards time.
The streets of New York were covered with snow, schools had been cancelled; it was the perfect time for the family to share favorite music with each other and us.
It’s Grammy Awards time and John & Jessica review the five nominees in their favorite category: Best Jazz Vocal Album. They’re all winners!
Can you name that tune, based solely on the verse? John & Jessica play songs with the verses attached. And they tip their collective hat to the city of chicago and our newest affiliate there: WDCB 90.9.
John travels through space and time today, without ever leaving his mind, as he presents to us some of the best concert performances ever caught on record.
John and Jessica begin the program by playing some of their favorite songs by Johnny Mercer. And that leads to other favorites, by other songwriters and other performers. Ellington, Lunceford, and others end up sharing the spotlight, and it all sounds good.
John celebrates January 9th, the birthday of Jessica Molaskey and Bucky Pizzarelli and the wedding anniversary of Bucky & Ruth Pizzarelli. And he does it sans the birthday girl. He does have his trusty guitar with him, however, which he puts to good use, accompanying himself of several deluxe solos.
John & Jessica spent a snowy New Year’s Eve at the deluxe cabin in front of the fireplace, with food, beverage, and their favorite music (both live and recorded). It was the perfect start to 2013.
In a quiet time between Christmas and New Year’s, John & Jessica trade off listening each other’s sets of music. The sets have themes like “Porgy and Bess,” “Nat Cole,” and “Rosemary Clooney,” among others. And all, of course, are accompanied by light-hearted stories and conversation.
The tree is decorated, the lights are twinkling, and the record player is spinning. It’s another Christmas in the deluxe apartment and, as usual, John & Jessica’s favorites music (holiday and other) is a big part of it.
When Jessica’s away, John and Madeleine secretly put up the Christmas Tree while recording a renegade tree-trimming episode of Radio Deluxe. Won’t Jess be surprised?
Deep in December it’s nice to remember favorite songs and stories, which is what John & Jessica do so well always. While the Christmas decorations aren’t yet up in the deluxe living room, just a bit of holiday music is sprinkled over this week’s playlist.
A rebroadcast of the program performed before a live audience at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival in August 2011, which was, unfortunately, the last year of that annual event. Sharing the stage with John & Jessica were singer Freddy Cole, clarinetist Ken Peplowski, and the John Pizzarelli Quartet, along with daughter Madeleine and television news commentator Budd Mishkin.
Another successful family feast is over and John & Jessica are enjoying the long weekend together. Their music consists of a few leftovers, as well as a few new treats.
First came Hurricane Sandy, and then a major snow storm. For a while, the storm that was the presidential election was overshadowed by the weather. In the midst of it all, John & Jessica were scheduled to open their run at the Café Carlyle and then make a sidetrip to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and back in one day. They somehow managed, and they tell us the stories, accompanied by just the right music (as you would expect).
While John & Jessica perform every night at the Café Carlyle, during the daytime, they entertain each other with their impeccible tastes in recorded music. This week, their selections include sets of Leonard Cohen songs and campaign songs, along with a salute to Zoot Sims and some other surprises.
America’s formost movie expert also has a lot of expertise in music. Leonard Maltin visits John & Jessica and brings along some of his favorite and rare recordings.
This week’s show comes from the stage at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival in Lennox, Massachusetts, and features the John Pizzarelli Quartet, Jessica Molaskey, and special guests Jane Monheit, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Madeleine Pizzarelli. It’s Labor Day weekend 2010 and you are there.
The month of October brings new releases, birthdays, and remembrances.
Singer Maureen McGovern comes calling to the deluxe living room.
Summer’s over and the Carlyle run has yet to begin. During this in-between time, John & Jessica fall back into their comfortable routine: talking, laughing, and playing favorite records for one another. It’s another relaxing day in the deluxe living room.
Before John left on his two-week performance tour of Brazil, he and Jessica recorded a program celebrating Brazilian musicians and Bosa Nova music, to air while he’s there. It’s enough to make you dance the samba.
It’s the first weekend of Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. John & Jessica have returned from the countryside to the Deluxe Apartment and are now in a New York City mood, as their playlist proves.
John has a list of favorite artists, all of whom celebrate birthdays this month. Jessica has her own list (unencombered by birth dates) and the result is another tasty John & Jessica mix.
It’s a quiet September day, and John is alone with his record collection. The setting, of course, informs his music choices.
It’s Labor Day weekend and John & Jessica and are spending the last days of summer vacation with daughter Madeleine at the Deluxe Cabin. And they create the perfect late-summer-early-fall soundtrack.
This week’s show features Tony Bennett through the years, the Brothers Taylor (James and Livingston), some recreated Little Rascals Music, and a nice mix of other things, both old and new, to round it out.
You know the routine: John plays a favorite record, then Jessica does the same. It’s always an interesting mix; and this week their they lean a little more toward the classic than the contemporary.
John & Jessica enhance their enjoyment of summer by sharing their favorite music with us.
This week John & Jessica spotlight the music of composer Harold Arlen, as well as the singers who recorded with George Shearing.
John & Jessica play records by fathers & daughters, mothers & sons, husbands & wives and the like. It’s multi-generational duets!
At the invitation of our Toronto affiliate, JazzFM91, John & Jessica performed their show before a live audience at Koerner Hall. It featured special guest Emilie-Claire Barlow and the John Pizzarelli Quartet (with Larry Fuller, Martin Pizzarelli and Tony Tedesco).
John & Jessica travel across distances and time to hear some of the best musical performances ever presented on stage. Through the magic of radio, we have seats for every one of them.
Regretfully, some of John & Jessica’s brilliance needs to be edited out of programs, due to lack of time, but we save their thoughts and songs for special occasions. Like today.
In honor of composer Richard Rodgers, born June 28, 1902, John & Jessica play some of the best songs ever written.
John & Jessica mix old and new music, as they do so well. Songs that were favorites then are favorites now.
Madeleine advances to high school, and John & Jessica can’t help but show their pride.
John & Jessica are on a roll, turning out another show filled with just-right music.
A whole show dedicated to those double play-play-plays that John & Jessica love to put together!
John and Jessica talk about and listen to John’s just-released album, “Double Exposure.”
John and Jessica are spending time together playing sexy songs, for some reason. They never told us why, but the results are very enjoyable.
Spring is in the air; May songs are on the hi-fi; and that’s just the beginning.
John & Jessica welcome spring with a beautiful bouquet of music.
John & Jessica give another listen to Basie, Ella, and some of their other favorite artists.
John made a quick trip to Moscow, on the heels of his European tour, but now he’s back in the comfort of the deluxe living room, with his best gal by his side. John & Jessica quickly fall back into their usual routine, playing their favorite deluxe music for all to enjoy.
The trees are blossoming and the bees are buzzing, and John & Jessica’s fancy turns to songs of love and April and springtime.
John has had a full itinerary lately: Paris, St. Mortiz, Zurich, Milan, Berlin, and Moscow. Now he's back, filled with stories and musical inspirations.
John finds himself packing his bags yet again, while he and Jessica contemplate his trips with travel songs and and other favorites that come to mind.
John is in Manhattan in springtime. His spirits are high (a common effect of spring), and that calls for some favorite spring songs.
John Pizzarelli worked with pianist George Shearing and became good friends. John and Jessica pay tribute to Sir George, who died in 2011.
John & Jessica celebrate Maddie's acceptance into the high school of her choice. And they celebrate the way they do everything: with music!
John tells tales about hangin' with McCartney, after playing with Sir Paul on his new album and live at the Grammy Awards ceremony and related events.
John and Jessica spend Academy Awards Sunday listening – and performing – their favorite movie songs.
John and Jessica pay tribute to New York cabaret singer Mary Cleere Haran, who died tragically in a bicycle accident in Florida. They play back portions of the second Radio Deluxe program, when Mary Cleere was a guest on the show.
Valentine's Day gets John in the mood to play some romantic records. Too bad Jessica couldn't be there, but she got to listen.
While Jessica is onstage rehearsing the show tunes, John is home alone playing the jazz tunes. And he finds some gems.
Singer Margaret Whiting was a good friend of John & Jessica's. In fact, it she who introduced them to each other. The fortunate couple rememer their friend Margaret, who passed away in early 2011.
One song reminds you of another, and soon you've got a set. A Gershwin set, then a Nat Cole set, sets about Rosemary Clooney and Bob Dorough. One thing leads to another with John & Jessica.
John and Jessica pay tribute to female vocalists (something Jess knows something about). The focus is on Joni Mitchell and later.
John and Jessica play their favoite set lists sent in by listeners.
One the eve of 2012, as the champagne chills, John and Jessica sit by the fire in the deluxe cabin and play the most romantic music they can think of.
The big day has arrived. John, Jessica, Maddie, and John's sister Anne, are preparing join the rest of the family, across the river at Bucky & Ruth's. They're having some holiday treats, opening a few Christmas Eve presents, and of course listening to their favorite music of the season.
John & Jessica, with some help from Maddie, are doing what they must as Christmas approaches. They're putting up the tree, unpacking the decorations, and getting ready for the big day.
It's the middle of the month and John & Jessica's apartment decor and musical choices are only beginning to reflect the oncoming Christmas holiday.
As a writer and a photographer prepare a Wall Street Journal article, John & Jessica continue doing what they do best: selecting, presenting, and shedding light on some of the best recorded music available.
It's Thanksgiving weekend in America, a time for good food and drink, good friends, and (as always in this household) good music. Enjoy the feast!
Talented musician Howard Fishman returns to the deluxe living room to visit and perform live.
It's a father-daughter banquet of music and stories.
John and Jessica are back home in their deluxe apartment, as they begin a month-long run at the Carlyle. Today, in the living room, they are sharing music with you and each other.
It's a program based partly on Jessica's iPod, which turns out to contain quite a mix of music.
John and Jessica, as they often do, play records that cross the line, going from jazz and pop and back again.
John and Jessica play some double play-play-plays, and they even stretch one to a triple.
Summer, with all its activities, is over and the Pizzarellis return to their usual routine high atop Lexington. That routine, of course, includes plenty of good music, which John and Jesicca share, with each other and you.
John and Jessica perform live from Tanglewood with Freddy Cole, Ken Peplowski, and the John Pizzarelli Quartet. Also visiting their deluxe living room set are deluxe daughter Madeleine and New York television news and sports correspondent Budd Mishkin.
The eighth grade is just getting back in session, but already it's time to think about next year. While Jessica and Maddie explore Gotham's high school options, John finds many musical opportunities to share with his listeners.
John and Jessica play some cool songs for a warm day.
John recalls highlights of past Radio Deluxe programs, featuring him and Jessica and their many guests.
John & Jessica bring out songs you won't hear on your everyday, run-of-the-mill radio show. That's for sure.
Actor and singer Steven Pasquale pays a visit to John and Jessica's deluxe apartment. Naturally, the topic of singing actors (or acting singers, if you prefer) came up, as they also discussed people like Bobby Troup, Julie London, and Hoagy Carmichael.
Once again John finds himself alone in the deluxe apartment. It's a good thing his favorite listeners are there to keep him company. They came for the great music he always picks out.
Alone on a summer afternoon, John invites his favorite listeners into the deluxe living room.
Jessica is packing for their annual West Coast Tour while John entertains guests in the living room. You're among them, of course. Enjoy his musical selections.
John and Jessica find themselves in the same room at the same time, in front of microphones. The results are predictable: outstanding music.
It's a hot day in New York City, but John is on the job, putting his superb musical tastes to work. He begins with summer songs, and then guides us through the subjects of Johnny Mandel, Larry Goldings, and even New Year's Eve.
Jazz musicians, Broadway cast members, and studio orchestras are all represented in this episode that features music from the theater and films. Some of the songs are from the original productions while others are latter-day interpretations, but all are very compelling.
John and Maddie listen to some of their favorite performances, all of which were recorded in a theater, club, show room, or stadium.
John & Jessica celebrate the Fourth-of-July Weekend by sharing classic American songs and artists
John IV and his sister Maddie join John III for an afternoon of deluxe listening in the deluxe living room.
John & Jessica celebrate fatherhood… and the day that's dedicated to that concept.
Frank, Count, Mel, Maggie… What's not to like on this list? Impeccible tastes, interesting stories… Let's hang out with John & Jessica.
Listeners submitted music suggestions through the John Pizzarelli Facebook page. John fulfills those requests now, in his usual entertaining and knowledge way.
As the school year ends, final exams, term projects, the U.S. Constitution, and other seventh-grade concerns are on the minds of eveyone in the Pizzarelli home. And as always, above it all is the ceasless sound of deluxe music. Somehow John and Jessica handle it all, simultaneously and adroitly.
They're at it again. John and Jessica are doing what they do best (other than making music). They are selecting, enjoying, and presenting to us the music that can only be described as "deluxe."
John and Jessica's streams of conciousness meander through the areas of George and Ira Gershwin, Count Basie, and several other enjoyable places. It's a fine way to drift through a spring day.
On Mother's Day weekend, John joins Jessica for one of their favorite enjoyments on relaxing days: finding apropos songs from their impressive music collection.
John and Jessica spend a quiet day drifting through their music collection, with no particular destination in mind. The trip turns out to be rather sonically-scenic.
American theater composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who turned 81 last month, is honored by John & Jessica.
Pianist and singer Barbara Caroll makes a return visit to the deluxe living room, where she chats with John and Jessica about her career and her music.
You've heard many of them, but you may not have known there is a classification for them. They are called list songs. John and Jessica will explain and give examples.
When you hear the opening verse to a familiar standard, do you know what chorus will follow? That's the game John and Jessica are playing today.
John' bags are packed; he's ready to go. But just before he goes off to Europe, does Mr. Pizzarelli have time to play some of his favorite rocords and engage in some delightful repartee with Ms. Molaskey? Yes, he does, which is fortunate for us all.
As Jessica opens a two-week run with Dave Frishberg at the Oak Room, John is in the deluxe living room, celebrating the start of spring and the 92and anniversary of his mentor, Nat King Cole.
Sir George Shearing, pianist, composer, and personal friend of John & Jessca's, passed away in New York City on February 14, 2011, at the age of 91. Today his music fills the deluxe living room, thanks to the many recordings he made during his long and shining career.
Recording artist and popular New York cabaret entertainer Mary Cleere Haran died tragically in Florida last month, following a bicycle accident. John and Jessica pay tribute to Mary Cleere, who appeared visited the deluxe living room during the second episode of Radio Deluxe, in December 2005.
It's Academy Awards time and John presents some of his favorites that won or were nominated for the Best Song Oscar.
John serves as tour guide on a trip through time and space to hear Ella, Frank, Nat, Louis, Peggy, and others live from venues in New York, New Jersey, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Monterey, and Newport. Let's go there now!
Even in Jessica's absence, John is thinking about his love as he prepares for St. Valentine's Day by finding his favorite songs of romance.
Singer Margaret Whiting passed away on January 10, 2011, at the age of 86. As the daughter of songwriter Richard Whiting, she grew up in Beverly Hills around many of the icons of the American Songbook, Johnny Mercer, Harry Warren, Harold Arlen, and Jerome Kern, most of whom she called "Uncle." She's was also very special to the Pizzarelli family, having introduced John to Jessica.
It's a quiet day in Manhattan's deluxe apartment, and John and Jessica spend it doing what they do so often: talking and listening to some of their favorite music.
Bird songs, food, and and the new generation of artists are all under discussion, contributing to this week's fun.
Mostly a lyricist, but also a composer and performer, Johnny Mercer is one of the most significant figures of the Great American Songbook. He and his music are in the spotlight in this deluxe episode.
Favorite movie critic (and music lover) Leonard Maltin meets up with John and Jessica at the foot of the Hollywood Hills
Snowbound at the deluxe cabin, John & Jessica and their neighbors have one of their best New Year’s Eves ever
John takes time to look back at Christmases past, remembering the many visitors who dropped by the deluxe living room at Christmastime.
John and Jessica visit with Michael Sigman, exploring the career and music of Michael’s father, songwriter Carl Sigman.
John and Maddie decorate the tree while listening to their favorite holiday music and sampling all ten Grammy-nominated albums in their two favorite categories.
John and Jessica ease into the Christmas season with a few of the first wave holiday songs and a few other favorites.
John is on his own this Thanksgiving weekend, while Jessica recuperates from hosting the in-laws.
Singer-songwriter-bandleader Howard Fishman makes a return visit to the deluxe living room. He brings his guitar and he and John supplement the records with some live living-room music.
While John and Jessica record in their living room, the whole experience is recorded by a writer and a photographer for the Wall Street Journal. The result is a glowing article in the Journal about Radio Deluxe, by Ralph Gardner, Jr., and another high-quality radio episode.
The baseball season has ended, which requires a big readjustment for John and Maddie. Life in the living room, meanwhile, goes on with the John and Jessica's usual music talk and listening.
As the title of this episode implies, this is an interesting mix of music. A fancier way to put it might be "eclectic," but who needs to be fancy? John and Jessica are at home in their living room.
John and Jessica cross the blurry line between jazz and pop music.
Mr. and Mrs. October have just completed their first week of their annual run at the Café Carlyle, and find time on their day off to enjoy some music on their home stereo.
With most people, their day job wins the bread while the night job is for fun. But with John and Jessica, their night jobs are the real jobs and their day job is having fun with you and other friends in the deluxe living room. Today, the deluxe couple spends the day listening to and talking about some of their favorite songs, singers, and composers.
For the second year in a row, Radio Deluxe is performed before a live audience at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival in Lenox, Massachusetts. Joining John and Jessica in their onstage living room are Jane Monheit, Bucky Pizzarelli, and the John Pizzarelli Quartet.
Cabaret star, actress, and woman-about-town Adrea Marcovicci visits the deluxe living room to talk about her life, her career, and her favorite music.
John and Jessica focus on the women of music who are performing the standards as well as sometimes creating the songs that are becoming part of the standard repertoire.
Author and historian John Fricke visits the deluxe living room where he discusses the subject he knows best: Judy Garland.
Pop singer and talented interpreter of the American Songbook Maureen McGovern discusses her career with John and Jessica.
John talks with the conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, about baseball, Boston, and music.
John and Jessica compare and contrast favorite recordings by putting them together in various and interesting combinations.
Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding became the popular radio comedy team known as Bob and Ray in the 1940's. Longtime Bob and Ray fan John Pizzarelli finally gets to meet his lifelong hero when Bob visits the deluxe living room. John and Jessica discuss with Bob his career and family, including his son Chris Elliott and grandaughter Abby Elliott.
Singer Curtis Stigers pays a return visit to the deluxe living room.
Stage and screen meet as Jessica plays modern versions of favorite theater songs while John plays some of his favorite movie songs.
John and Jessica replay one of their most-requested interviews, recorded with Kenny Rankin in 2006.
Dick and his piano player, Bobby Ricotta, visit the deluxe living room to "loungify" familiar pop songs.
Actor and singer Steven Pasquale pays a visit to the deluxe living room.
John and Jessica celebrate Independence Day with songs and artists that are quintessentially American.
It's generally known as Father's Day, but around the deluxe apartment this weekend it's Bucky's Day. Bucky Pizzarelli visits his son and daughter-in-law, and the stories about guitar playing and guitar players are plentiful.
While Jessica continues appearing in a musical out of town, John plays host to you, serving up some of his favorite records. He plays "Doozy" and "Dizzy," big bands, two from the Crecendo, and pays tribute to two Dons: Grolnick and Gardner.
Jessica is out of town, Madeline is not home, but the show goes on. John does what he does so well: plays and talks about his favorite music. This week the music includes a special tribute to the late pianist Hank Jones.
John and Maddie listen to favorite records recorded before live audiences)
Johnny and Maddie Pizzarelli join Dad in the deluxe dining room.
John and Jessica play favorite songs that are connected in some way.
Brazilian singer Luciana Souza visits the deluxe living room.