Johnny Guarnieri

Johnny Guarnieri
Guarnieri inSecond Chorus,1940
Background information
Birth name	John Albert Guarnieri
Born	(1917-03-23)March 23, 1917 New York City,New York,U.S.
Died	January 7, 1985(1985-01-07)(aged 67) Livingston,New Jersey,U.S.
Genres	Jazz swing
Occupation	Musician
Instrument	Piano
Labels	Savoy Majestic RCA

John Albert Guarnieri(March 23, 1917 – January 7, 1985)was an Americanjazzandstridepianist, born in New York City.

Career

Guarnieri joined the George Hall orchestra in 1937.He is possibly best known for hisbig bandstints withBenny Goodmanin 1939 and withArtie Shawin 1940.Guarnieri is also noted for his embellishment and juxtaposition of jazz with classical piano, such asScarlattiandBeethoven.

Throughout the 1940s, Guarnieri was active as a sideman, recording with artists such asCharlie Christian,Cozy Cole,Ike Quebec,Charlie Kennedy,Hank D'AmicoandBen Webster.He also led his own group called the"Johnny Guarnieri Swing Men"and recorded with them on theSavoylabel, a group that includedLester Young,Hank D'Amico,Billy ButterfieldandCozy Cole.He also led a trio in the 1940s composed of himself,Slam Stewartand Sammy Weiss, recording again for Savoy. During the 1940s, he also recorded for the short-livedMajesticlabel, playing solo piano and with his trio.

In the 1940s, he also playedharpsichordin the Gramercy Five, a small band led byArtie Shaw;his solos were the first examples of jazz recorded on the instrument.

In 1946, Guarnieri's trio was broadcast twice by theBBC Home Servicein the UK in a short series highlighting American, British and French jazz artists dubbed as 'Kings of Jazz'. The 18 January and 29 March episodes featured his trio with Guarnieri (piano),Slam Stewart(bass), andSidney Catlett(drums), and was introduced byAlistair Cooke.

In 1949, Guarnieri recorded an album withJune ChristyentitledJune Christy & The Johnny Guarnieri Quintet.In his later years Guarnieri shifted more toward jazz education. In commemoration of his reputation as a teacher, Guarnieri's students financed a label for him called "Taz Jazz Records". In the 1970s, Guarnieri recorded numerous albums on his new label, and until 1982 worked at the "Tail of the Cock" nightclub inStudio City, California.In the early 1980s, Guarnieri recordedJohnny Guarnieri Plays Duke Ellingtonon aBösendorferGrand "SE" player piano, for the Live-Performance Jazz Series.

Death

Guarnieri was based inLos Angeleslater in his life, but traveled to the East Coast to play a concert in January 1985.He played at theVineyard Theatreat East 26th Street inNew York Cityon January 6, but had to stop at the intermission because of dizziness.He went to a friend's house to rest, but was admitted toSt Barnabas hospitalinLivingston, New Jerseythe following day, where he died following a heart attack.

Personal life

He was survived by his wife, Jeanne, six children, and 18 grandchildren.

Select discography

• Makin' Whoopee(Dobre)

WithCozy Cole

• Concerto for Cozy(Savoy,1944)

WithTony Mottola,Cozy ColeandBob Haggart

• An Hour of Modern Piano Rhythms(Royale, 1953)

With theHenri RenéOrchestra

• RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt(RCA,1953)
• That Bad Eartha (EP)(RCA, 1954)
• Down to Eartha(RCA, 1955)
• That Bad Eartha (LP)(RCA, 1956)
• Thursday's Child(RCA, 1957)

WithBen Webster

• "Honeysuckle Rose"b/w" Kat's Fur "(Savoy, 1944 )

WithLester Young(Keynote,1943)

• "Sometimes I'm Happy"
• "Just You, Just Me"
• "I Never Knew"
• "Afternoon of a Basie-ite"

With Trio

• Makin' Whoopee(Dobre Records DR1017, 1978)

External links

• Johnny Guarnieriat discogs
• Johnny Guarnieriat allmusic
• Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" in 5/4 timeonYouTube