John performs with all-star musicians in various combos at jazz parties and jazz/blues festivals across the country and abroad.
In Sacramento, those combos include Vince Bartels, Steve Homan, Joey Ventittelli, "Little Charlie" Baty, Jim Martinez, Shelley Denny, Bill Douglass, Brady McKay, Vivian Lee, Chuck Bond, Mike McMullen, Otis Mourning, and others.
Influences
Starting as a drummer had the greatest influence on John's rhythmic versatility on piano and vibes. Cocuzzi's piano work is influenced by Jelly Roll Morton, Thomas "Fats" Waller, Mead "LUX" Lewis, Professor Longhair, Nat "King" Cole, James Booker, and Erroll Garner. One can also hear echoes of Gene Harris and Dave McKenna in John's playing. His vibraphone influences include Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, and Milt Jackson. His vocal influences are from New Orleans jazz and blues stylists, but John also has his own shy-guy style on ballads.
Sounds Like
Jay McShann, Amos Millburn, Bill Doggett, Floyd Dixon
PIANO, VIBRAPHONE, DRUMS, VOCALS
For schedule:
http://www.johncocuzzimusic.com/schedule.html
More audio and video clips are on the website.
John Cocuzzi was born in 1964 at Andrews Air Force Base, just outside Washington, DC. His father, Frank Cocuzzi, had been a percussionist for the U.S. Marine Band and was a professional jazz drummer. Growing up, John would accompany his dad and sit-in at jam sessions with the older players. As a young man exposed to great jazz and blues, he was able to get acquainted with these players and their music. There was live music everywhere John went; thus began his musical life path. John established himself in the DC area as a dynamic stylist on piano, vibes, drums, and vocals. He worked with Big Joe & the Dynaflows and the Big 3 Trio, and as a solo artist at clubs, festivals and swing dances on the East Coast before relocating to Sacramento in October 2007. He now performs across the U.S. and occasionally in Europe, as well as on premier jazz cruises. In Sacramento, he loves performing for the swing dancers at Midtown Stomp and Club 21 (Tuesday night swing dance).
John has been fortunate to perform live with these Jazz / Blues giants: Billy Butterfield, Snooky Young, Steve Jordan, Bob Haggart, Milt Hinton, Keter Betts, Louis Bellson, Barrett Deems, “Weeping” Tommy Brown, Jimmy “T-99” Nelson, Floyd Dixon, Earl King, and Jimmy McCracklin.
While on tour, he has shared the stage with world-class artists boogie-woogie piano great Bob Seeley, Barbara Morrison, Joe Wilder, Byron Stripling, Warren Vaché, Jackie Coon, Bob Wilber, Kenny Davern, Bobby Gordon, Houston Person, Harry Allen, George Masso, Eddie Locke, Peter Appleyard, Johnny Frigo, Wycliffe Gordon, Red Holloway, Bob Wilber, Bucky & John Pizzarelli, Russell Malone, Howard Alden, Dick Hyman, John Bunch, Eddie Higgins, Jake Hanna, Butch Miles, Bobby Rosengarden, Chuck Redd, and a host of others.
Additionally, John has played alongside contemporary blues players Big Joe Maher, Joe Stanley, Jeff Sarli, Bob Margolin, "Little Charlie" Baty, Rick Estrin, Mick Martin, Obie Dee, and Mookie Brill, and jazz players Bill Douglass, Jim Martinez, Jimmy Robinson, Tom Saunders, Jon-Erik Kellso, Scott Robinson, Evan Christopher, Jim Galloway, Kim Cusack, Tom Fischer, Eric Schneider, Mike McMullen, Bill Allred, Russ Phillips, Bob Havens, Dan Levinson, Dan Block, Eddie Erickson, Steve Homan, Mark Shane, Vince Giordano, Murray Wall, Andy Cleyndert, Jennifer Leitham, Nicki Parrott, Banu Gibson, Rebecca Kilgore and many more (plus those listed below for recordings).
RECORDINGS: John has recorded many compact discs, under his own name and with other classic jazz and blues artists: Big Joe & the Dynaflows, The Big Three Trio, Dan Barrett, Randy Reinhart, Randy Sandke, Ed Polcer, Ken Peplowski, Allan Vaché, John Allred, Andy Stein, Skitch Henderson, Bucky & John Pizzarelli, James Chirillo, John Sheridan, Johnny Varro, Milt Hinton, Paul Keller, Phil Flanigan, Frank Tate, Ed Metz, Jr., Joe Ascione, and Daryl Sherman.
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
Hi John! Thank you for adding Blackmail Bluesband to your friends. You have great tracks on your profile. Hope you will have a wonderful week. Greetings from Sweden. The best mail you gonna need. Blackmail Bluesband.
Hey, it was a nice session. But I hope we can do one with you on vibes sometime in the future!!! Thanks for sitting in on the late-night Hayriders set in Sacto. What a blast!
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