The ultimate trio

Bucky Pizzarelli leads a guitar trio on 'Three for All', which also includes his son John and Ed Laub. Without sacrificing his own voice, Bucky lovingly honours his forebears and contemporaries. With the exception of the title track, all of these songs are standards - a description that fails to capture the vitality of these performances. It's especially gratifying to hear a jazz album that sounds like an album - a cohesive succession of performances - thoughtfully crafted, but swinging like crazy, as you'll discover.

The selections are centred largely at the peak of the American Popular Songbook. They include Broadway's "All the Things You Are", from a 1939 Jerome Kern flop, and "Body and Soul", from a 1930 hit. Bucky sails gloriously through Johnny Green's melody before turning it over to John, with the last word going to his father - all the while with smart, sensitive support from Ed. The roles are reversed on "Avalon", a popular song introduced by Al Jolson in 1920.

Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, and Ed Laub comprise the guitar trio. Without compromising his distinctive style, Bucky pays tribute to his musical predecessors and peers. While the songs performed are considered standard repertoire, the vibrancy and energy of these renditions defy such a simple categorization.

It is particularly gratifying to encounter a jazz album that cohesively flows as a complete artistic statement, meticulously crafted yet exuding a captivating spontaneity. The selections draw primarily from the pinnacle of the American Popular Songbook, including the Broadway classic "All the Things You Are" from a 1939 Jerome Kern production, as well as the perennial favourite "Body and Soul" originating from a 1930 hit.

Bucky Pizzarelli masterfully navigates Johnny Green's melody, before passing the baton to his son John, with Bucky ultimately having the final say - all the while buoyed by the astute and sympathetic accompaniment of Ed Laub. The dynamic is reversed on "Avalon", a popular song first introduced by the legendary Al Jolson in 1920.

Throughout the album, the trio seamlessly blends their individual virtuosities, creating a unified musical tapestry that is both reverential and innovative. Bucky's playing is a testament to his reverence for the jazz tradition, while simultaneously imbuing the classics with a fresh and invigorating spirit. The collaborative interplay between the three guitarists is a true highlight, as they engage in a captivating dance of call and response, each musician contributing their unique voice to the overall ensemble.

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