John Cocuzzi

Who is John Cocuzzi?

John Cocuzzi is an American jazz, blues, and swing musician who specializes the vibraphone and piano, as well as drums. His primary influences on vibraphone are Lionel Hampton and Red Norvo, while his piano playing is influenced by piano greats from both the jazz and blues worlds.

Cocuzzi is originally from Maryland but is best known in the Washington, D.C. area. He has been a member of Big Joe & the Dynaflows, and of the Big Three Trio with Big Joe Maher and John Previti in Washington, D.C. He also performs at jazz festivals nationwide.

While on tour, he has shared the stage with the classic jazz musicians Harry Allen, Houston Person, Eddie Locke, Barbara Morrison, Peter Appleyard, boogie-woogie piano great Bob Seeley, Howard Alden, Dick Hyman, John Pizzarelli, Johnny Frigo, Jake Hanna, Butch Miles, Russell Malone, Joe Wilder, Red Holloway, Bob Wilber, George Masso, Chuck Redd, and a host of others, including jazz giants Louis Bellson, Barrett Deems, Snooky Young, Marshall Royal, Billy Butterfield, Milt Hinton, and Keter Betts.

Cocuzzi has played piano for Jimmy McCracklin, "Weeping" Tommy Brown, Jimmy "T-99" Nelson, Floyd Dixon, and Earl King. Cocuzzi's piano influences include Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, Meade Lux Lewis, Professor Longhair, Nat King Cole and Erroll Garner.