John Pizzarelli pays tribute to a jazz great in honour of his Centennial in 2026. Pizzarelli has announced the release of Dear Mr. Bennett, his upcoming album in honour of Tony Bennett’s 100th birthday on August 3.
Dear Mr. Bennett is the award-winning guitarist and vocalist’s farewell and a celebration to a music legend who brought joy to the world through his timeless music for over seven decades. It’s also a tribute that hits close to home for Pizzarelli, whose father, legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, was a sideman for Bennett, playing on the albums To My Wonderful One (1960) and I’ve Gotta Be Me (1969).
“Tony’s artistry was just so magnificent,” says Pizzarelli. “And he was able to continually reinvent himself. He went from being a pop singer in the ‘60s to a singer/entertainer who always had to play second fiddle to Sinatra in the ‘70s, then, because he was such a great singer, he was able to do what he really wanted to and move from making commercial records to working with the likes of Bill Evans, George Barnes and Ruby Braff. He had one of the great second acts, and became a superstar all over again with the MTV generation, Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga.”
Joining Pizzarelli on this album is his current trio made up of bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson and features his unique take on Bennett’s hits such as “The Best Is Yet To Come,” “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “Waltz for Debby” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” The album is a follow-up to 2023’s Stage and Screen, the trio’s first album together celebrating Broadway and Hollywood.
Bennett was more than just an influence for Pizzarelli, he was an intricate part of Pizzarelli’s life, from being a guest at his wedding to Jessica Molaskey to attending various gigs in support of up-and-coming jazz musicians. “He was such a New Yorker, in Manhattan, you’d run into him on the street,” Pizzarelli recalls “And he was just a very open and kind person, his vocal quality remained great, right until the end of his life.”
The project is the first of two Pizzarelli plans to release in honour of Bennett this year. A five-song EP will be released on August 7 to coincide with Bennett’s Centennial celebrations.
Dear Mr. Bennett comes out March 6 on Green Hill Music. Pizzarelli and his trio will be touring the project worldwide throughout 2026 and 2027 with stops in across the US and Canada for Festival International De Jazz De Montreal.
