Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • February 15, 2012 Saddle River Pizzarellis contribute talents to new McCartney album laborated on “Paper Moon,” and added to other tracks. The elder Pizzarelli said McCartney was easy to work with. “He never said, ‘Don’t do this,’ or ‘Don’t do that.’ He was very glad (we were there) and thought our work was terrific.” The Pizzarellis have concentrated on jazz, while McCartney is known as a rock and roll pioneer, but LaPuma recognized that the Pizzarellis’ contribution would provide a needed element. Bucky acknowledged that the jazz “gives the album a little spark.” The elder Pizzarelli, now in his eighties, has spent close to seven decades in the music business. He was nine when he picked up a guitar, and took his first lesson from his uncles, who showed him how to play a few chords. He was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2011. Bucky Pizzarelli began playing in the Vaughn Monroe Band at 17, but was drafted soon afterward. He spent two years in the service, and then returned to play with the big band, touring the country and performing for a national radio show. He remained with the group until it broke up about five years later. Afterward, he began playing for powerhouse singer Kate Smith. Pizzarelli has played for “The Tonight Show,” and went on a 1970 tour with Benny Goodman that brought Pizzarelli to 26 cities in six weeks. The performers even played behind the Iron Curtain. John “Bucky” Pizzarelli John “Bucky” Pizzarelli and his son John. The musical stylings of Saddle River guitarist John “Bucky” Pizzarelli and his son John, are prominently featured on Paul McCartney’s new album, “Kisses on the Bottom.” The seemingly provocative album title refers to an old song that includes the lines, “I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a letter and make believe it came to me from you…Kisses on the bottom, I’ll be glad I got ‘em.” The Pizzarellis were recruited for the recording session by producer Tommy LaPuma, who knew these talented jazz musicians would be the right fit for the old standards included in the new release. The album also includes some material written by the former Beatle. “We spent two full days at Capitol Records in Hollywood,” Bucky Pizzarelli said of the experience. Father and son col- During his career, Pizzarelli has played with Skitch Henderson, Doc Severinsen, Tony Bennett, and Rosemary Clooney. He has been playing at the Kasschau Shell in Ridgewood for over 40 years, and plays at Shanghai Jazz in Madison. He also performs at jazz events in Texas, Georgia, and the Carolinas. John, now 51, has been playing guitar for nearly 40 years. His father said he offered encouragement and tips to his son as he heard John practice.