Born on April 6, 1960, in Paterson, New Jersey, Pizzarelli has been playing guitar since age six, following in the tradition of his father, guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli. Hanging out with his father, John was exposed to all the great jazz music of the era, from Erroll Garner and Les Paul to Django Reinhardt. He began playing with his father at age 20, before going out on his own.
John Pizzarelli has recorded as a bandleader for RCA, Chesky, Stash and Novus, and in 1997 appeared in the Broadway musical Dream, a revue of Johnny Mercer songs. Along the way, Pizzarelli and his band have earned rave reviews. Reviewers often compare the Pizzarelli Trio to jazz icons such as Nat "King" Cole: "The John Pizzarelli Trio has never been tighter, and Pizzarelli himself has never been looser," said The Village Voice of a recent New York show. "We can say we’re as lucky to listen to [Pizzarelli] as Nat Cole fans were in the years before he became a legend."
For Pizzarelli, the comparison to the Nat "King" Cole Trio is the highest of compliments. "I've always said in my concerts that Nat 'King' Cole is why I do what I do." Using greats like Nat "King" Cole and Frank Sinatra and the songs of writers like Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen as touchstones, Pizzarelli is among the prime contemporary interpreters of the great American songbook, bringing to the work his signature style and brilliant guitar playing.
With Telarc’s recent release of Dear Mr. Sinatra, an homage to 'Ol' Blue Eyes,' Pizzarelli's album count now stands at 21, an odyssey that began with My Blue Heaven in 1990. Some of his most recent CDs include, Knowing You (Telarc 2005), Bossa Nova (Telarc 2004), and Live at Birdland (Telarc 2003).
A veteran radio personality, Pizzarelli hosted "New York Tonight" on WNEW from 1984-1988. Now, with the launch of "Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli," he brings warmth, humor and that long-lost "live" feel back to radio. The show takes place in their "deluxe living room," where he and his guests play live and recorded music, and enjoy conversation that is relaxed, candid, and off-the-cuff. Recent guests include Regis Philbin, Liza Minnelli, Peter Cincotti, Keely Smith, Steve Tyrell and Tony Danza.
In addition to being a bandleader, radio personality and solo performer, John has been a special guest on recordings for major pop names such as James Taylor, Natalie Cole, Tom Wopat, Rickie Lee Jones and Dave Von Ronk, as well as leading jazz artists like Rosemary Clooney, Ruby Braff, Johnny Frigo, Buddy DeFranco, Harry Allen and, of course, Bucky Pizzarelli. He was recently featured opposite Donna Summer, Jon Secada and Roberta Flack on the Grammy Award winning CD, Songs From The Neighborhood: The Music of Mr. Rogers.
John has performed numerous times on the country's most popular national television shows such as "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Late Show with David Letterman," "Live With Regis & Kelly," "The Tony Danza Show," "The CBS Early Show," Fox News Channel and Jerry Lewis's Labor Day Telethon.
Pizzarelli continues to tour throughout the United States, Europe and Japan, performing classic pop, jazz and swing, while setting the standard for stylish modern jazz.
Full Discography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pizzarelli#Select_discography
Ruby Baby
John Pizzarelli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She don't love me but I love her just the same
Ruby, Ruby, how I want you
Like a ghost I'm gonna haunt you
Ruby, Ruby, when will you be mine?
Each time I see you, baby, my heart cries
From the sunny day I met you
Made a bet that I would get you
Ruby, Ruby, when will you be mine?
I got a girl and Ruby is her name
I'd give the world just to set her heart aflame
Got some lovin' and some money too
Gonna give it all to you
Ruby, Ruby, when will you be mine?
Got some lovin' and some money too
Gonna give it all to you
Ruby, Ruby, when will you be mine?
Ruby, you're so fine, Ruby, baby, be mine
The song "Ruby Baby" by John Pizzarelli is a love song about a girl named Ruby. The song starts off with the singer expressing his love for Ruby despite her not loving him back in the same way. He compares himself to a ghost who will forever haunt her. He also expresses his desire for her, hoping that someday she'll be his.
The chorus repeats the phrase, "Ruby, Ruby, when will you be mine?" emphasizing the singer's longing for her. He then talks about how he's going to steal her away from other guys and how he bet he would get her since the day they met. Despite her not reciprocating his love, he's willing to give her everything he has, including his love and money.
Overall, the song portrays the singer's infatuation with Ruby and his yearning for her love. It's a typical love song from the 1950s with a catchy melody and romantic lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a girl and Ruby is her name
There is a girl named Ruby who is with me
She don't love me but I love her just the same
Even though Ruby does not love me back, I still have feelings for her
Ruby, Ruby, how I want you
I desire Ruby greatly
Like a ghost I'm gonna haunt you
I will keep bothering Ruby like a ghost
Ruby, Ruby, when will you be mine?
I'm asking Ruby when she will be mine
Each time I see you, baby, my heart cries
Whenever I see Ruby, it makes me emotional
I'm gonna steal you away from all those guys
I will take Ruby away from all the other guys who like her
From the sunny day I met you
From the day I met Ruby in the sun
Made a bet that I would get you
I made a bet that I would obtain Ruby's love
I got a girl and Ruby is her name
There is a girl named Ruby who is with me
I'd give the world just to set her heart aflame
I would do anything to make Ruby fall for me
Got some lovin' and some money too
I have some love and money
Gonna give it all to you
I will give it all to Ruby
Ruby, Ruby, when will you be mine?
I'm asking Ruby when she will be mine
Ruby, you're so fine, Ruby, baby, be mine
Ruby, you are great and I want you to be with me
Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@desperatetimes5873
Love it!!!
@clevelandpianostudio
Ushered for a concert of his and he played this tune, love it!
@pastorjohn57
Had not heard of John Pizzarelli before July 2012 Downbeat review. John's voice is smooth man, real smooth. I enjoyed the horn arrangements. They add to the tune rather than take over. I wonder who did the arrangements? Will have to check the album. Good bass, drummer. Carry the song well. 4 STARS. Good Jazz album to have in your collection, especially if you want to introduce someone to lyrical/harmonic jazz. Pastor John