Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
In Memoriam: James Blood Ulmer, 1940–2026
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
Jessica Molaskey and John Pizzarelli with Tony Bennett at their wedding reception in 1998.
(Photo: Courtesy John Pizzarelli)Well, what can be said about Tony Bennett that you don’t already know? As I type this, I’m listening to Tony Bennett with Bill Charlap sing “All The Things You Are” and I must say, listening is the only thing we can do. I keep listening and it’s all right there: “Some Other Time” and “You Must Believe In Spring” with Bill Evans, “Emily” from The Movie Album with that amazing Johnny Mandel arrangement, “Moments Like This” from The Art Of Excellence, “San Francisco” for crying out loud and so many more.
There were a number of A-list guitarists that played on many of these albums. My dad, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Barry Galbraith shared a lot of the assignments at Columbia’s 30th Street Studio, where these Bennett records were made. When my father passed away in 2020, we went through some 15 years of his date books, and “Columbia 30th” was jotted down in many of them. When my father and I worked together throughout the ’80s, we spent many hours in the car listening to WNEW. Occasionally, a Bennett record would come on, and he’d say, “That’s me!”
In 1984 right after the release of The Art Of Excellence, bassist Jay Leonhart and I were called by Jonathan Schwartz to accompany pianist Ralph Sharon and Tony live on the air at WNEW. I’ll never forget how beautifully Tony sang “I Got Lost In Her Arms” while he casually leaned against the upright piano. I think I forgot to play for a minute.
Tony came to my first gig in 1991 at the Oak Room at the Algonquin on a Thursday of the final week and sat directly in front of my trio. He listened intently as I sang the verse to “As Time Goes By,” which I had learned from his Life Is Beautiful LP. After we finished, we all walked over to Tony’s table and he gave each of us a sketch he had drawn on a cocktail napkin during our set. The sketching tradition continued when he came to hear my wife, Jessica, Bucky and me at Feinstein’s at the Regency a few years later. The sketch of me from that gig is now the cover of my new CD, Dear Mr. Bennett, a tribute to my friend.
On another occasion, Tony sat with Jessica at the Blue Note when I fronted an amazing big band with Don Sebesky in December of 1996. He remarked to her that I looked like him on the back cover of his Astoria album. Tony then came upstairs after the show and told me how much he had enjoyed it and advised me, “Never change!” Also, we had the pleasure of Tony and his wife, Susan, attending our wedding in 1998. That occasion was at an Irish pub on the Upper East Side. Tony and Susan sat with my parents for the evening while all the waitresses got their picture taken with Tony. Jess and I went back to that Irish pub a few weeks later to see those photos framed and hung up behind the bar.
Tony Bennett was a ubiquitous New Yorker. He freely walked the streets, painted in the park and was always friendly to all passersby. He could be seen at gigs all over Manhattan. Drummer Joe Cocuzzo told me that after a session at Columbia 30th Street that ended very early, it was Tony’s suggestion that the entire orchestra go to The Half Note to hear Zoot Sims and Al Cohn … on him! Why not?
I’ll miss that great New Yorker like I miss so many New York things that are no longer with us. But, unlike Gino’s on Lex, Columbia 30th Street, RCA on 44th, Colony Music, The Morosco, Manny’s and the first Yankee Stadium, Tony’s music will soar and live on, and we will always have it to celebrate our loved ones through good times and bum times. DB
Editor’s Note: Tony Bennett’s 100th birthday was yesterday, Aug. 3. P.S. Mr. Bennett, John Pizzarelli’s new tribute EP to Tony Bennett on Green Hill Music, is available Friday, Aug. 7. It is a companion to his full-length album Dear Mr. Bennett released earlier this year. Also, Pizzarelli will be performing at Birdland Jazz Club tonight through Aug. 8 doing plenty of Bennett-inspired material.
To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
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