Bay Area Cabaret Presents Two Concerts by John Pizzarelli, 2/26

Bay Area Cabaret welcomes back renowned jazz guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli with two performances Sunday, February 26, 2012.  At the 2:30pm show, Pizzarelli will be joined by his wife, Broadway actress Jessica Molaskey, to present their acclaimed Café Carlyle show When Worlds Collide, a portrait of their marriage.  At 5pm, Pizzarelli and his quartet will present his award-winning Duke Ellington tribute Rockin' in Rhythm.  The concerts take place in the historic Venetian Room of The Fairmont San Francisco (950 Mason Street) Sunday, February 26, 2012.  Tickets for each show ($45 general) are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or by phone at City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

Pizzarelli and his wife, Broadway actress Jessica Molaskey, will begin the afternoon with their highly-acclaimed Café Carlyle show When Worlds Collide, described as "brilliant" and "exquisite" by The New York Times.  This program, which focuses on their complex and adoring marriage, pairs songs and artists from different genres -The Beatles with Woody Herman, Billy Joel with Stephen Sondheim, Allman Brothers with West Montgomery, and many more.  According to The New York Times, "the Pizzarelli-Molaskey duo are as good as it gets in any entertainment medium."  Peppered with humorous anecdotes from his rich musical background and swathed in her captivating grace and theatricality, When Worlds Collide is an evening of delights for music and theatre lovers of all walks.  

Described as "a musical explosion…truly something special" by All About Jazz, John Pizzarelli's tribute to Duke Ellington features songs from his first ever Ellington recording, Rockin' in Rhythm.  Joined by his jazz quartet – pianist Larry Fuller, bassist Martin Pizzarelli, and drummer Tony Tedesco – Pizzarelli will perform a selection of Ellington's most well-loved songs, including "Just Squeeze Me," "Love Scene," and "Satin Doll." 

Winner of both the New York Nightlife Award and the Montreal International Jazz Festival's Ella Fitzgerald Award, Grammy-nominated John Pizzarelli has established himself as one of the prime interpreters of the Great American Songbook.   The world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer was called "hip with a wink" by Town & Country, "madly creative" by the Los Angeles Times, and "the genial genius of the guitar" byThe Toronto Star.  Following in the tradition of his father, guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli, John began playing guitar at age six.  He has since performed with a number of jazz greats, including Benny Goodman, Les Paul, Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, and Slam Stewart, and has opened for such legends as Dave Brubeck, Ramsey Lewis, Rosemary Clooney, and Frank Sinatra. 

Jessica Molaskey is a veteran of many Broadway shows, including Parade (directed by Hal Prince), Dream, Tommy, Sunday in the Park with George, Crazy For You, Les Misérables, City of Angels, Chess, Cats, and Oklahoma!  She has performed off Broadway and regionally in dozens of productions, including A Man of No Importance at the Lincoln Center.  Molaskey has premiered music written by Ricky Ian Gordon, Adam Guettel, Jason Robert Brown, Michael John LaChiusa, Stephen Sondheim, and John Bucchino. Along with her husband great jazz guitaristJohn Pizzarelli, Jessica hosts a weekly national radio program called Radio Deluxe.

Bay Area Cabaret's 2011-2012 season concludes May 12 with Tony Award winner Laura Benanti, with a special opening performance by 2011 Bay Area Teen Idol winner Robert Conte Thornton.  For patrons of Bay Area Cabaret, The Fairmont San Francisco offers a fabulous brunch in the Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar for $30 (plus tax and tip) and a sumptuous buffet dinner for $40 (plus tax and tip), plus up to four hours of free parking for all who dine in the Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar.  For more information, including audio and video samples, visitwww.bayareacabaret.org.