David Miner, Chairman of Benedetto Guitars and Founder and President of Miner Family Vineyard in Napa, CA, was the highest bidder for the Bucky Pizzarelli painting of the Pizzarelli property on the bank of the Saddle River in Bergen County, NJ.
For more than seven decades, Bucky Pizzarelli was one of the world’s greatest guitarists. But, in addition to his musical talents, Pizzarelli was an incredible artist – he took up painting as a hobby in the early ‘60s – painting scenes from his backyard and memories.
Pizzarelli passed away at the age of 94 in April (Jersey Jazz, May/June 2020), but the Pizzarelli family, recognizing the New Jersey Jazz Society’s service to the jazz community, generously donated one of Bucky’s paintings to NJJS to be sold, with all proceeds benefiting the Society.
The 20 x 24-inch oil-on-canvas painting features striking autumn colors against a pallet of blue sky, green and brown trees with the Pizzarelli home in the background. It came with its original frame (27.25 x 31.25) and was prominently signed: PIZZARELLI. Included with the painting was a framed photograph of Bucky and his wife, Ruth (who passed away a week after Bucky) enjoying a Frank Sinatra video with the painting displayed in their home. The sale of the painting was facilitated through the Charity Auctions Today website. The auction began Sunday, November 1, and ended on Sunday, December 20, 2020.
Bucky Pizzarelli was a beloved and devoted member of the New Jersey Jazz Society. We’d like to acknowledge the generosity of the Pizzarelli family and thank them for this extraordinary gift.
And, we’d like to congratulate and thank David Miner as well!