Jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli died April 1, 2020 from Covid 19 at the age of 94. Bucky continued to perform into his 90s, even after a stroke and pneumonia led to several hospitalizations in 2015 and 2016. In spite of all that, by the end of 2016, Bucky was back in action.

I was the Artistic Director for a festival in Brazil for years and in 2009 brought Bucky as one of my featured acts. This was a festival in six different cities, so I had a lot of tricky logistics to deal with and many cranky musicians. Bucky, then 83, was the sharpest dresser, never complained, was always cheerful and the first to be ready for his soundcheck. He was a wonderful role model for everyone, an example of a life well-lived. This is my 2010 conversation with Bucky about playing with everyone from Benny Goodman to Stephane Grappelli and why it’s so hard to find musicians today who play great rhythm guitar.