Schooled by the legends of jazz

Kudos for running Don Heckman’s piece about John Pizzarelli & the Pizzarelli Family (“Pizzarellis, at Home,” Aug. 14). I was fortunate to have heard the Nat King Cole trio when Nat was telling us to “Straighten Up and Fly Right.” John claims that Nat has been a big influence on his style of jazz. Of course his father, Bucky, was a great teacher too. I was also lucky to have heard Bucky when he was playing with big bands in the ‘40s and at many of the jazz parties being held around the country since then.

Bill Smith

Palm Desert