Bucky Pizzarelli

Admired and praised by the likes of Irving Berlin and Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer has been described as "one of our great folk poets" and "the most perfect American lyricist". Throughout his extraordinary career, he collaborated with hundreds of composers to write legendary movie songs such as "Hooray for Hollywood", "Jeepers Creepers" and "Moon River". Mercer then went on to co-found Capitol Records in 1942 and became a successful Broadway producer of St. Louis Woman and L'il Abner.

One of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time, Bucky Pizzarelli has been building a loyal fan base for more than 50 years. On this DVD, recorded in a relaxed studio setting on an April afternoon in New York City, he pays fond tribute to 14 of his favorite tunes. Frank Vignola joins Bucky, one of his earliest influences, on affectionate interpretations of "Tangerine", "Honeysuckle Rose", "Moonlight Serenade" and other timeless melodies. Tracks: 1. In a Mellow Tone 2. Limehouse Blues 3. Smoke Rings 4. Tangerine 5. Stars in Your Eyes / Nuages 6. Pacifica 7. If I Had You 8. Please 9. Stompin' at the Savoy 10. This Nearly Was Mine 11. It's Been a Long, Long Time / Don't Take Your Love From Me 12. Honeysuckle Rose 13. Three Little Words 14. Moonlight Serenade

Bucky Pizzarelli leads a strong quintet through this intimate live set at Makor, a Manhattan night spot. The seven-string guitarist is always game for anything, and with a superb group -- including nearly everyone's first-call bassist, Michael Moore, clarinetist Allan Vaché, vibraphonist Peter Appleyard (who previously worked with Benny Goodman, as did Michael Moore and the leader), and drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie -- the veteran leads his group through seven favorites from the swing era. The set sounds very relaxed and informal, as if the musicians were playing for their own fun and had no idea tapes were rolling. A snappy take of "Perdido" and an extended workout of "Limehouse Blues" are but two of the memorable tracks recorded that evening.