with John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey
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April in Anyplace (4/20/24)
Paris has probably been the city most associated with the month of April since 1933, when a song about “chestnuts in blossom and holiday tables under the trees” became a hit song. But “April in Paris” is just one of many songs about the very appealing and eagerly welcomed month. April is one of those mild months that people enjoy everywhere, on both sides of the equator. You’ll hear many songs and descriptions of this favorite month during this mid-April episode of Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey.
Program Notes
Ella Fitzgerald – April in Paris (At Newport)
Count Basie – April in Paris (Compact Jazz)
Dave Frishberg – Another Song About Paris (Where You At)
Veronica Swift – A Little Taste (Confessions)
Don Sebesky – A Waltz for Debby (I Remember Bill)
Tony Bennett/Bill Evans – A Waltz for Debby (The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album)
Simon and Garfenkel – April Come She Will (Sounds of Silence)
Luis Russell – At the Swing Cats Ball (At the Swing Cats Ball)
Catherine Russell – At the Swing Cats Ball (Send for Me)
Kurt Elling – Tight (Nightmoves)
Artemis – Lights Away from Home (Lights Away from Home)
Zoot Sims & Bucky Pizzarelli – You Must Meet My Wife
Harry Allen Quartet – I’veHeard that Song Before (The Harry Allen Quartet)
Maynard Ferguson – Take the A Train (Come Blow Your Horn)
John Pizzarelli – Where or Shen (Stage and Screen)
Julie London – I’ll Remember April (Calendar Girl)
Mel Torme – Let’s Take a Walk Around the Block (At Marty’s)
Jessica Molaskey & John Pizzarelli – Hiding in Plain Sight (A Kiss to Build a Dream On)
Isaiah J. Thompson – Hi-Fly (Composed in Color)
Billy Stritch – Cottage for Sale (Billy Stritch Sings Mel Torme)
Bucky Pizzarelli – This Nearly Was Mine w/Richard Rodgers story (Flashes)
Harry Nilsson – For Me and My Gal (A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night)
John Pizzarelli – Love Is Here to Stay (Our Love Is Here to Stay)
Sarah Vaughan – Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most (The Roulette Years)
Chris Barber – April Showers (The Pye Jaz Anthology)
Past Shows
In Full Spring (4/13/24)
It’s mid-April and spring is in full swing. John and Jessica are at the deluxe lake house, and John describes the weather as a “glorious spring day.” The chill is gone from the air, baseball is back on the radio, and we’ve just begun the warm half of the year. So sit back with our hosts and enjoy the gentle breezes, the chirping birds, and the best music.
It's John Pizzarelli's Birthday (4/6/24)
The date of this episode falls on John Pizzarelli’s 64th birthday, which leads the obvious choice for the opening number. Besides recordings by John, we will also hear songs this week from Jessica’s first four albums. Originally released by PC Classics in the early 1980s, they are now being re-released by Center Stage Records. So it’s a double celebration this week on Radio Deluxe.
Easter Again (3/30/24)
John & Jessica are spending the weekend in the city this year, probably because they want to show off their finery in the Easter Parade along Fifth Avenue. And I wonder if Jessica will be wearing her bonnet, the one with all the frills upon it, most likely created by Henri Bendel. Let’s listen in and see what we can find out.
Spring, Spring, Spring (3/23/24)
John & Jessica welcome Spring 2024 up at the lake house. It’s there where they can best observe all the predictable things that plants and animals do when springtime arrives. And, because it’s taking place at the Deluxe Cabin, it’s all accompanied by songs about spring – and there are many.
Almost Equinox (3/16/24)
The vernal (or spring) equinox occurs – and spring begins – at the same moment around the globe, at 03:06 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) this Wednesday, March 20th. In North America, it happens on Tuesday at 11:06 PM EDT and 8:06 PM PDT. So this weekend, John & Jessica present the last official program of winter, just before the sun crosses the equator into the northern hemisphere. It’s quite astronomical.
A Little Bit of Everything (3/9/24)
Young artists, old artists, old recordings, new recordings, a song from 1929, a song from 2023. This week’s show is A Little Bit of Everything.
It’s Not Quite Spring, but It’s March (3/2/24)
If the groundhog was correct a month ago today, we are just a couple weeks away from the start of spring. But the arrival of March makes many of us think that it’s already spring (or autumn if you’re south of the equator). John & Jessica are back at the lake house, admiring the crocuses, and listening to many of their favorite songs.
Maddie’s in the House (2/24/24)
The role of Jessica Molaskey in today’s program is played by Maddie Pizzarelli. Luckily, we’re a radio show big enough to have an understudy on staff while Ms. Malasky continues her acclaimed role in The Connector at New York’s MCC Theater. Ms. Pizzarelli, meanwhile, fills in seamlessly as John Pizzarelli’s comic and musical partner, spinning the platters, telling the tales, and plugging upcoming appearances.
Getting Up to Speed (2/17/24)
The Pizzarelli calendar is approaching pre-covid levels again. Last week, John had several concert dates in California and Arizona and, in the week ahead, he’ll be in St. Louis and Fort Lauderdale. Meanwhile, Jessica continues her role in The Connector in New York, a play that has been extended for another month. They’re spending more time in the city, although they go up to the cabin for fun.
The Osgood File (2/10/24)
Broadcaster, author, poet, and musician Charles Osgood hosted CBS News Sunday Morning for 22 years on television and was heard daily on The Osgood File for 46 years on CBS Radio. In recognition of his passing, on January 23,2024, Radio Deluxe is rerunning segments from its Episode #101, which first aired November 3, 2007. As the guest, Mr. Osgood tells stories, talks about music, and makes music by singing and playing piano, along with John Pizzarelli & his Trio (with Larry Fuller and Martin Pizzarelli) and Jessica Molaskey. So, as a treat, you can still see Charlie on the radio today.
Just off the Boat (2/3/24)
John Pizzarelli talks like he just got off the boat, telling stories of all the things that happened during The Jazz Cruise as he sailed through the Caribbean Sea. Meanwhile, Jessica Molaskey, who opens in a new musical theater production on Monday, has her own stories, and both of them combine to tell the stories behind the making of a new album by Steven Pasquale and John. Lots of stories and lots of music to hear this week on Radio Deluxe!
A Smiling Face, a Fireplace, a Cozy Room (1/27/24)
John & Jessica are spending a weekend in the woods. Attracted by a smiling face, a fireplace, a cozy room, our host couple sits by the fire chatting and playing music, including one of John’s all-time favorite songs, “My Blue Heaven.”
Anchors Aweigh (1/20/24)
John & Jessica got together just before going their separate ways this week, Jessica to the theater and John out to sea for the annual Jazz Cruise. Some of the stars of the floating festival are in the Radio Deluxe spotlight, to give you a taste of what you're missing--or not (maybe you're listening on board, through the wi-fi). If so, bon voyage!
Deluxe Redux: Terry Teachout (1/13/24)
Writer Terry Teachout died two years ago today, on January 13, 2022, at age 65. The author, critic, biographer, playwright, stage director, and librettist was one of our earliest guests on Radio Deluxe, recorded on May 13, 2006. He talked with John & Jessica about the arts, his career, and some of his favorite recordings, which he brought with him. Today, in remembrance of Terry, we present that interview in its entirety.
January 6th Again (1/6/24)
January 6th is observed every year as a significant day on the Christian calendar. The day is also known as “Three Kings Day,” “Little Christmas,” or “Epiphany.” The eve of the date is known as “Twelfth Night,” falling 12 days after Christmas Eve. It often goes unnoticed, but for the past three years, January 6th has become the name of a news event that we hear about often. But the music on today’s program focuses more on peace on earth, joy to the world, and of course love. Always love songs:
A Peaceful Transition of Years (12/30/23)
On New Year's Eve, we may see what look like bombs bursting in air, but it's actually a celebration focusing on positive thoughts for the year ahead. The holiday's theme song, "Auld Lang Syne," is about good times fondly remembered, an important sentiment, but the fireworks and champagne corks are popping for the future, the start of a new year that we are facing together. We do it peacefully and cooperatively, with a willingness to do what is expected of us to help make the world a better place. Here's to a happy 2024!
Christmas 2023 (12/23/23)
John & Jessica are back in the deluxe living room of their deluxe Manhattan apartment high above Lexington Avenue. Just like Christmases past. And like people all around the world, they are beginning their celebrations while at the same time preparing for for the big day on Monday. The music on this week’s show is mostly traditional, performed by a mixture of new and traditional artists. We hope all of our listeners are enjoying the holiday season and we are grateful that you are spending part of it with us.
The Annual Tree Trimming (12/16/23)
A couple weeks before Christmas, the Pizzarellis decorate their Christmas tree together. Every year they unwrap the same ornaments and tell same stories behind them, but that’s what makes it a family Christmas tradition. And like all Pizzarelli traditions, it’s a accompanied by music. So enjoy the music and the stories and feel free to help them decorate.
Deeper in December (12/9/23)
As Christmas draws near, John & Jessica are back in Manhattan, home of such famous holiday locations as the Rockefeller Plaza, Rado City Music Hall, Macy’s and Gimbels, FAO Schwartz, and that Deluxe Apartment high atop Lexington Avenue. That’s where you’ll find the best record collection in New York City, which includes such holiday and other favorites as:
The First of Five December Weekends (12/2/23)
There are five weekends in this December, which will be useful because it's such a jam-packed month, involving food, gifts, and celebrations...and always music. We’re so happy you joined the party going on now at the Deluxe Cabin!
Thanksgiving Weekend 2023 (11/23/23)
The Radio Deluxe show has been around so long that it has acquired its own holiday traditions. The songs John & Jessica unpack are like favorite Christmas ornaments that come out every year. There are songs of gratitude, songs of home and family, and songs about food. We give thanks to you for your support and invite you to enjoy the feast!
Some Mancini Music (11/18/23)
John Pizzarelli recently returned from Miami, where he participated in an early celebration of the 100th birthday of composer Henry Mancini. So in honor of that, John & Jessica spotlight a few Mancini songs during this week’s show, which originates from their deluxe living room in Manhattan. Join them as they spin discs and prepare for Thanksgiving.
Artists and Icons (11/11/23)
Here’s how the game is played: The radio host (usually Jessica) names an artist that is popular among Radio Deluxe listeners. The contestants (you and John) then try to name the artist’s most iconic song. The host then reveals the song she thinks is (or wishes were, or is her favorite) iconic song by the artist. If a contestant’s answer matches the host’s answer, the contestant wins! Every winner, or loser or non-contestant, then gets to listen to the song! It’s that simple.
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