Johnny Guarnieri

by Scott YanowOne of the most talented pianists of the 1940s, Johnny Guarnieri had the ability to closely imitate Fats Waller, Count Basie, and even Art Tatum. Not too surprisingly, he was in great demand during his prime years. Guarnieri started classical piano lessons when he was ten and soon switched to jazz. In 1939, he joined Benny Goodmans orchestra, recording frequently with both the big band and B.G.s sextet. In 1940, Guarnieri became a member of Artie Shaws orchestra and gained fame playing harpsichord on Shaws popular Gramercy Five recordings. After further associations with Goodman (1941) and Shaw (1941-1942), he was with Tommy Dorsey (1942-1943) and then freelanced. Among Guarnieris many recordings during this era were important dates with Lester Young (Sometimes Im Happy), Roy Eldridge, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Rex Stewart, Don Byas, and Louis Armstrong (Jack-Armstrong Blues). He also recorded frequently as a leader during 1944-1947, including one date on which Lester Young was his sideman. Guarnieri joined the staff of NBC in the late 40s, appeared in the Coleman Hawkins/Roy Eldridge television pilot After Hours (1961), moved to California in the 60s where he often played solo piano, and a few times in the 1970s toured Europe. Guarnieris later records often found him playfully performing stride in 5/4 time. He recorded as a leader through the years for such labels as Savoy, Majestic, Coral (1956), Golden Crest, Camden, Dot, Black & Blue, Dobre, and Taz-Jazz (1976 and 1978).