On his new release Rockin' In Rhythm - A Tribute to Duke Ellington John Pizzarelli celebrates the music of one of the most prominent musical icons of the 20th century. Pizzarelli was still a very young musician when Ellington died in May 1974, but thanks to his father, veteran guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, he would eventually learn much about jazz's most important composer.

"Duke's music was an integral part of any set my father played," says Pizzarelli. "I heard a tremendous amount of his music listening to my Dad and then through performing with him. There are some many beautiful melodies and so many discoveries to be made on any given night."

Like Ellington, Pizzarelli crafts his performances to spotlight the talents of his band members. In addition to a solo track ("Just Squeeze Me"), four songs on Rockin' In Rhythm showcase his quartet - pianist Larry Fuller, bassist/brother Martin Pizzarelli and drummer Tony Tedesco - and seven tracks include the Swing Seven horns with arrangements by Don Sebesky.

Pizzarelli and the Swing Seven open the set with the Ellington classic "In A Mellow Tone," followed by an inspired medley of "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore."

An elegant version of "Satin Doll" includes a guitar solo by Pizzarelli's father, Bucky. "On one of Dad's first LPs there was a version of 'Satin Doll' I always loved," Pizzarelli says. "He always plays the song like it's the first time for him, and I'm so glad he played the solo here."

"C Jam Blues" features violinist Aaron Weinstein and saxophonist Harry Allen. "I couldn't make a record of 'C Jam' and not include these two fine soloists," says Pizzarelli. ""I've known Harry since he came to New York City from Woonsocket, Rhode Island over 20 years ago and Aaron since he came here from Chicago about three years ago. They are both cut from the same cloth and eager to make music always."

Further in, Pizzarelli's solo performance on "Just Squeeze Me" is a tip of the hat to Bucky, George Van Eps (the father of the seven string guitar) and guitar legend Joe Pass.

Pizzarelli has always been a fan of Gerald Wilson's arrangement of "Perdido," and on this latest reading he shares the spotlight with his wife, the acclaimed Broadway star and recording artist Jessica Molaskey, and vocalist Kurt Elling. "I met Kurt during a gig we shared at the Hollywood Bowl three years ago," Pizzarelli says. "Although we look at similar songs in different ways, we seemed to hit it off and become friends and really learn from each other. Our mutual love for Lambert, Hendricks and Ross inspired me to get Jessica to write a lyric to that 'Perdido' recording from Ellington's Piano in the Background album. It also gave me the opportunity to get Kurt on the CD. What a thrill!"