10 Facts About Johnny Guarnieri

John Albert Guarnieri was an American jazz and stride pianist, born in New York City.

Johnny Guarnieri is possibly best known for his big band stints with Benny Goodman in 1939 and with Artie Shaw in 1940.

Johnny Guarnieri is noted for his embellishment and juxtaposition of jazz with classical piano, such as Scarlatti and Beethoven.

Johnny Guarnieri led his own group called the "Johnny Guarnieri Swing Men" and recorded with them on the Savoy label, a group that included Lester Young, Hank D'Amico, Billy Butterfield and Cozy Cole.

Johnny Guarnieri led a trio in the 1940s composed of himself, Slam Stewart and Sammy Weiss, recording again for Savoy.

In 1946, Johnny Guarnieri's trio was broadcast twice by the BBC Home Service in the UK in a short series highlighting American, British and French jazz artists dubbed as 'Kings of Jazz'.

In commemoration of his reputation as a teacher, Johnny Guarnieri's students financed a label for him called "Taz Jazz Records".

Johnny Guarnieri was based in Los Angeles later in his life, but traveled to the East Coast to play a concert in January 1985.

Johnny Guarnieri went to a friend's house to rest, but was admitted to St Barnabas hospital in Livingston, New Jersey the following day, where he died following a heart attack.

Johnny Guarnieri was survived by his wife, Jeanne, six children, and 18 grandchildren.