NC Jazz Festival @ Wilmington president Sandy Evans presents Bucky Pizzaarelli with his plaque
World renowned musicians, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and cornetist Ed Polcer were honored at this year’s Patron’s Brunch with the presentation of individually crafted plaques created by local artist Justine Ferrari of Creations by Justine.
Ed Polcer
This was Bucky’s 12th appearance at the festival and Ed’s 21st. The NCJF board of directors made this presentation as a token of our appreciation of the gift of jazz excellence that these musicians have given and continue to give to audiences around the globe, but particularly here in Wilmington, NC.
Last year we brought our grandson, Ricky, to the festival and his couldn’t sit still all evening. Ricky turned 16 in January, and in February he auditioned (6 classical pieces played by memory) on the piano for the U N C School of the Arts in Winston Salem. He is on the short wait list, and may be called by July the latest. If he isn’t called, he will continue with extra music classes at Dixon High School in Sneads Ferry and stay in the Jazz band there. He will try again for the UNCSA high school program and if he gets accepted next year he will be a high school senior in the program.
This is the first year I have brought a full table of friends to the festival. ( No one wants to sit with someone who’s not enjoying themselves. ) They all loved it. My grandson, Ricky Schneider, wants to thank you for the best seat in the house, sitting in front of Rossano Sportiello. What a fantastic player and nice person too. He gave Ricky some suggestions and told him who his favorite classical and jazz piano players were. Sitting at the other end of the room, we could all make out Ricky, the one who couldn’t sit still in his seat. See you next year.