with John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey
Latest Show
Quintessentials (11/16/24)
Here’s how the game is played: The radio host (call her Jessica) names an artist that is popular among Radio Deluxe listeners. The contestant (call him John, or use your own name) then tries to name the artist’s most quintessential song. The host then reveals the song she thinks is (or wishes were) the song most closely associated with the artist. If the contestant’s guess matches the host’s guess, the contestant wins! Every winner or loser or disinterested person then gets to—or has to, depending their viewpoint—listen to the song. It’s that simple. Spoiler alert: all the answers are listed below.
Program Notes
Rosemary Clooney - Cabin in the Sky (Rosie Solves the Swinging Riddle)
Becca Stevens Band - Weightless (Weightless)
Peggy Lee - Fever (All Aglow Again)
Frank Sinatra - One for My Baby (Sings for Only the Lonely)
Chet Baker - Let's Get Lost (The Best of Chet Baker Sings)
Danny Kaye - Choreography (The Ultimate White Christmas)
Rosemary Clooney - Come on-a My House (Your Hit Parade-1951)
Diana Krall - Peel Me a Grape (Love Scenes)
Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares for Me (Mood Indigo: The Complete Bethlehem Singles)
Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue (Quiet Now: Night Song)
Julie London - Cry Me a River (The Best of Julie London)
Allan Vache - Flying Home (With Benny in Mind)
Catherine Russell - Whatcha Gonna Do When There Ain't No Swing? (Strictly Romancin')
Norah Jones - Don't Know Why (Come Away With Me)
Tony Bennett - I Left My Heart in San Francisco (I Left My Heart in San Francisco)
Tony Bennett - Now It Can Be Told (It Could Happen to You OMPS)
Henry Mancini - When You're Away (The Great Waldo Pepper OMPS)
Harry Connick, Jr. - It Had to Be You (When Harry Met Sally)
Joe Venuti & Zoot Sims & Bucky Pizzarelli - Dinah (Joe & Zoot & More)
Doris Day - Secret Love (With a Smile and a Song)
Blossom Dearie - I'm Shadowing You (Me and Phil: Blossom Dearie Live in Australia)
Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks - Cotton Club Stop (The Music of the Cotton Club)
Loudon Wainwright III - Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (I'd Rather Lead a Band)
Bill Evans Trio - Alice in Wonderland (Sunday at the Village Vanguard)
Past Shows
And the Days Grow Short (11/9/24)
We’re getting deeper into autumn. This second weekend in November is the first one after we set our clocks to standard time and the first one after the long-anticipated election. Both events are controversial, and many people insist that both took us back in time. Regardless of your opinion, John & Jessica provide us with music and conversation that will hopefully produce comfort and a positive outlook.
There's No Time Like November (11/2/24)
The month of November begins with All Saints’ Day, also kown as All Hallows’ Day (hallow meaning holy), a Christian holiday celebrating all of the church’s saints. The evening before the holiday is All Hallows’ Eve, better known as Halloween. November 2nd is All Souls’ Day, a celebration of all faithful souls who have gone before. In Mexico, they celebrate Day of the Dead, which is a two-day celebration that occurs on both November 1st and 2nd.
A major election is held every other November (always on the first Tuesday after the first Monday). And, of course, November always marks the start of our big holiday season that includes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November, which means that November 28th (when it is this year) is the latest it can ever be. So brace yourself, be sure to vote, and happy holiday season from all of us at Radio Deluxe!
As October Goes (10/26/24)
In the midst of their Carlyle run, John & Jess relax with some of their favorite records at one of their favorite places, the Deluxe Cabin by the lake. It’s the last weekend of October, when you might expect to hear Mercer and Manilow’s “When October Goes,” but we’re holding off on that song, just to keep you guessing.
Creel, Page, Schwatz & More (10/19/24)
John & Jessica pay tribute to two Broadway stars whom we recently lost: Gavin Creel and Ken Page. They both died on the same day, September 30, 2024. Gavin at age 48 and Ken at 70. John also got on the subject and songs by Arthur Schwartz after someone sent a letter correcting him about lyricist Dorothy Fields. John also brings up other songwriters, singers, and sidemen that lead to several other stories and songs, eventually closing the show with a final song by Gavin Creel. I think John calls that doing “the weave.”
The First Hint of Autumn (10/12/24)
Last week, it still felt like summer at the Deluxe Cabin. But since then, cooler nighttime temperatures have encouraged John & Jessica to discontinue swimming in the lake.The days are still pleasant, however, and our deluxe couple continues to enjoy sitting on the veranda, preparing meals, and playing music. Music on the show this week includes several young singers and some popular vocal groups.
Loesser and More (10/5/24)
It’s the first weekend of October and John & Jess find themselves at the Deluxe Cabin where they will be concluding their summertime activities (like swimming in the lake and buying veggies from the farm stand). Music listening is a year ‘round activity, however, and there will be plenty of that, of course, with a special focus on the songs of Frank Loesser, especially ones from his Broadway musicals Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Come join the lakeside fun!
Autumn In, September Out (9/28/24)
The season of autumn is on its way in as the month of September is on its way out, on this very same weekend – the last weekend of September and the first full weekend of fall.
Triple Treats (9/21/24)
John & Jess shine the spotlight on the multi-talented artists of stage and film. They are the ones who sing, dance, and act, and make the rest of us feel inadequate, until we realize it's a lot more fun and a lot less work to simply enjoy their talents. So this week we can enjoy hearing from Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Gregory Hines, Rosemary Clooney and others. It's a real treat. Often a triple treat.
Frishberg, Simon & Other Faves (9/14/24)
One of the things that John & Jess enjoy is to play sets of songs that have something in common, such as songs that share a subject, or songs by a particular performer, or songs by the same composer. Today, we’ll hear several songs written by Dave Frishberg and another set of songs written by Paul Simon that are all performed by women. And if you have your own idea for a song set, please feel free to let us know about it at info@radiodeluxe.com.
Summer in September (9/7/24)
This is the weekend after Labor Day Weekend, and yet it’s is our first show of September! It must be one of those Deluxe oddities. Officially, there are only three weekends left in Joh & Jessica’s summer, counting this one, and they are taking advantage of it by spending time at the lake, doing summertime things. Let’s go there now and have some waning summertime fun!
Labor Day Weekend 2024 (8/31/24)
John, Jessica, and the Deluxe Cabin are once again reunited on this Labor Day holiday weekend!
Summer in NYC (8/24/24)
John is back from his West Coast tour, Jessica is almost back from her Chicago run, and it’s a warm, pleasant, summer day in New York City. John is calling the tunes...and they are dandies. See for yourself.
West Coast Jazz (8/17/24)
John is on his 2024 West Coast Tour, which includes stops in Seattle, Oakland, Santa Barbara, Irvine, and Los Angeles. And in honor of that, he pays tribute to West Coast artists, including Gerry Mulligan, Vince Guaraldi, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Mel Torme, June Christy, Bobby Tourp, and Julie London, along with West Coast nightclubs, such as Shelly’s Manne-Hole, The Crescendo, and The Saville.
Happy Talk (8/10/24)
Many people have told us how they need to tune in Radio Deluxe to get a break from the news and other realities. With those people in mind, John & Jessica have selected special blend of music with a heavy presence happy-themed songs for your listening and living pleasure. Enjoy!
It’s August Again (8/3/24)
We're down to the last few weeks of summer, your last chance to accomplish the things you want to do this summer that you'll remember all winter long. So get out there and have fun; we'll provide the music.
100 Year Old Songs (7/27/24)
Many of the songs that were published back in 1924 certainly don’t seem like they are 100 years old. A lot of them are still being performed and recorded because they are still relevant to our lives today. Their timeless quality is the reason why they continue to be rediscovered by successive generations of music lovers. This week, John Pizzarelli puts the spotlight on several of the most durable songs from 1924, along with his usual array of more recent songs.
Summer Time at the Summerhouse (7/20/24)
The house was built as a summer house, but then its use was stretched into early autumn, and then late spring. But when it became a refuge from COVID, it was put into full-time service, successfully weathering the storms and the virus. But now, in mid-July, it serves its original purpose, as a base for swimming, hiking, kayaking and campfires, and always music. It’s everyone’s favorite: summertime at the summer house!
Summer Times (7/13/24)
In this midsummer’s show, John & Jessica present some, light, refreshing music with matching snacks. They got through Canada Day and tthe Fourth of July, but there is still more than half of July left to celebrate So join them today for a party just for fun.
Do I Hear a Waltz (7/6/24)
It’s Fourth of July Weekend and John is celebrating solo in the Deluxe Apartment. He starts out with a song about America, then makes a sharp turn and begins playing waltzes. And there are plenty of them. Any song in 3/4 time qualifies. Many we may not have even realized were waltzes, but they all sound good.
Mandel and More (6/29/24)
It’s the fifth weekend of June and John & Jessica are at the Deluxe Cabin, up by the lake, doing summertime things. As usual, they are playing yours and their favorite music, and are reminded of the very talented composer and arranger Johnny Mandel, who passed away four summers back. Now, enjoy the deluxe music, and enjoy your summer.
Summer's Really Here! (6/22/24)
Summer may have begun a few weeks ago, in our minds, but now even the scientists agree that it’s summer. It began officially at the moment of the summer solstice, which occurred this year on Thursday, June 20, at 4:51 PM, Eastern Time. For our friends south of the equator, winter began at the same moment. John and Jess are celebrating at the summer cabin, and you’re invited to join them.
Father’s Day with Bucky (6/15/13)
It started out in 2006 as Show #22, with Bucky Pizzarelli talking about guitar music. Now it’s a favorite favorite conversation for Father’s Day. Bucky, John & Jessica, along with Lifetime Achievement award-winning writer Ted Panken of Down Beat magazine. Enjoy your Father’s Day weekend with Show #968.
Songs from Pre-Uber Days (6/8/24)
Remember how we used to call a taxicab? It didn’t involve the Internet at all. We just dialed the phone or stood at the curb and waved our arm. John, of course, calls songs every week for the show, and this week he’s decided to call songs about taxis, for old time’s sake. He also offers musical salutes to pianist Ray Kennedy and arranger/conductor Nelson Riddle. So enjoy the songs as you explain to the grandkids how cabs used to work, how phone calls used to be made, and how recorded music used to be played. That should make you feel old.
June Is Bustin' Out (6/1/24)
This week’s exciting episode comes on the first day June, a time that some countries and regions celebrate as the start of the summer season. It’s a very important day in the life of carousel workers, which is why Rodgers & Hammerstein put a song that celebrates it in their musical Carousel. John uses it as his opening song today and then follows it up with a few more June songs, He also pays tribute today to Peggy Lee, the songwriter. We hope this all gets you in a happy, June mood so you’ll be able to enjoy the day, enjoy the season, and enjoy the music! (Pictured: Memphis in June, a shady veranda, under a Sunday blue sky)
Memorial Day 2024 (5/25/24)
John Pizzarell has the deluxe living room all to himself as Jessica is in Chicago, beginning her work in a three-month run of the new musical Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. John, however, carries on in the tradition of the showbiz adage, “The radio show must go on.”
Three of a Kind (5/18/24)
John Pizzarelli has selected several sets of records, with each set containing three songs that all have something in common. For example, one set contains three songs related to Benny Goodman, another set contains three songs from the musical Oklahoma!, a third set is made up of three songs that John learned to play on the banjo when he was but a lad, and another set is made up entirely of songs popularized by Nat King Cole. It’s programming like that that will surely keep you listening for the next two hours.
Don't Forget Mother's Day (5/11/24)
John & Jessica are celebrating glorious weather, springtime in Manhattan, and Mother’s Day. Although the Mother’s day part didn’t dawn of them until hour 2 of the show (John blames the fact that the show was pre-reorded). Anyway, just in time, here is a music show for mom. Flowers, candy, and brunch are optional.
The Blossom Centennial (5/4/24)
Margrthe Blossom Deaire was born in New York’s Catskill Mountains on April 28, 1924, which makes this week a time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of American jazz singer and pianist Blossom Dearie. During her long career, Blossom became the toast of New York, London, and Paris. And today we toast her centennial on Radio Deluxe!
Mel, John & Don (4/27/24)
Singers Mel Torme and John Pizzarelli achieved the coveted Radio Deluxe Double Play status with back-to-back songs on today’s show. And Don Sebesky qualifies for the Double Play honor because he arranged both of John’s songs. So that’s like a Double-Double, as they would call it at In-N-Out Burger. These are the things we think about on a pleasant late-April day at the lake. And today we fondly remember the great composer and arranger Don Sebesky, who passed away a year ago, on April 29, 2023, at age 85.
April in Anyplace (4/20/24)
Paris has probably been the city most associated with the month of April since 1933, when a song about “chestnuts in blossom and holiday tables under the trees” became a hit song. But “April in Paris” is just one of many songs about the very appealing and eagerly welcomed month. April is one of those mild months that people enjoy everywhere, on both sides of the equator. You’ll hear many songs and descriptions of this favorite month during this mid-April episode of Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey.
In Full Spring (4/13/24)
It’s mid-April and spring is in full swing. John and Jessica are at the deluxe lake house, and John describes the weather as a “glorious spring day.” The chill is gone from the air, baseball is back on the radio, and we’ve just begun the warm half of the year. So sit back with our hosts and enjoy the gentle breezes, the chirping birds, and the best music.
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