Pizzarelli show to benefit HELP-Uganda

The Island Now

John Pizzarelli is a world-renowned guitarist and singer, hailed by the Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz.” The Toronto Star called him “the genial genius of the guitar.” And the Seattle Times saluted him as “a rare entertainer of the old school.”

Established as one of the prime contemporary interpreters of the Great American Songbook, Pizzarelli has expanded that repertoire by including the music of Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Antônio Carlos Jobim and Lennon-McCartney. His themed shows, often performed with his wife Jessica Molaskey, suggest there is no limit to Pizzarelli’s imagination or talent.

The next step is introducing the solo work of Paul McCartney to his audience through his release on Concord Records, Midnight McCartney, and on stages around the world. The challenge, Pizzarelli says, is lining up the lesser-known McCartney songs alongside the works of Gershwin, Berlin and Rodgers.

“It’s not out of the realm to say, ‘Here are some excellent songs. What you just enjoyed and maybe thought was Johnny Mercer, is really Paul McCartney.’ I think they can all stand next to each other,” Pizzarelli says.

His upcoming performance of Midnight McCartney will take place at the Madison Theatre at Molloy College on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 516-323-4444 or going to www.madisontheatreny.org.

A portion of ticket sales will be donated to raise funds for HELP Primary School — HELP Uganda. For more information and to donate directly, go to www.help-uganda.com.

The Madison Theatre at Molloy College is located at 1000 Hempstead Ave. in Rockville Centre.

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