For an intimate crowd of about 35 guitar enthusiasts Tuesday night, jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli performed in memory of his old friend, late Mahwah resident Les Paul. As part of a calendar of special events going on at the Mahwah Museum in honor of its ‘Les Paul in Mahwah’ exhibit, Pizzarelli, who performed with Paul in the Les Paul Trio, played guitar with one of his current collaborators, Wyckoff resident Ed Laub, and shared stories and memories with the audience.

“I think [this exhibit] is sensational,” Pizzarelli said as he walked through the museum’s displays before his performance. "Les was a giant of a guitar player, and the things he did can never be duplicated by anyone.”

The two musicians were friends for “a real long time,” Pizzarelli, who lives in Saddle River, said. They met in 1963, at a street fair when Pizzarelli’s uncles, professional banjo players Pete and Bobby Domenick, were Paul’s opening act. “In addition to being the electric guitar master, Les also knew more about acoustic guitars than anyone I ever met,” Pizzarelli explained. “Since I did most of my studio work on acoustics, Les and I always got along really well.”

For Museum Vice President Dr. Charlie Carreras, having Pizzarelli perform with the exhibit as his backdrop was “wonderful. It’s a very special night here,” he said Tuesday.

For Pizzarelli, the decision to come over to the township Paul called home for over 50 years was an easy one. “Anything to do with Les, I’d be here,” he said. “I’m happy to be here.”

The museum’s exhibit, which is open to the public Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, displays a re-creation of Paul’s Mahwah studio, photographs, videos and, of course, guitars. For more information about the exhibit and other special events the museum is hosting in memory of Les Paul, visit its website.