Not many people associate pizza with Jazz, however for Matt Criscuolo, the owner of Wilton Pizza and Tootzy Patza Pizzeria, it was obvious. Criscuolo has combined his love of Jazz and pizza to create the Jazzeria Pizzerias this area knows and loves.
Criscuolo comes from a vibrant Italian family. His mother and father both born in Italy, brought their heritage and passion for food to the United States, where they raised their children to love all things pizza and family.
The Criscuolo family was among the first to bring pizzerias to the Fairfield County area back in the 1960's. In the mid-seventies, Criscuolo's father opened Rowayton Pizza after years of working with his brother down in the Bronx. Rowayton Pizza is still open, serving up memorable pizzas, grinders and more. It was there that Criscuolo says, "I cut my teeth in the business."
Criscuolo, a first generation American, took to the family business model of good ingredients mixed with a work-hard, play-hard mentality that made for a successful business. “It was a family affair with my mother and my brother cooking up grinders and entrées in the kitchen with my father, and I upfront making pizza and taking care of customers when I was just 10 years old,” he explained.
Around that same age, Criscuolo picked up the saxophone for the first time and was immediately inspired and hooked on the shiny brass instrument. From there his passion grew and he performed locally, while still working for the family business. After a while Criscuolo’s music career began to take off.
In the early 90’s Criscuolo returned to Fairfield County to start his own version of the family business in Wilton. He united his two passions and opened up his first pizzeria, Wilton Pizza and Pasta. “I combined my love for Jazz with pizza and it is from this experience that the JAZZERIA concept was born,” Criscuolo said.
Managing the restaurants can be hard, but Criscuolo says he has “amazing managers” that take excellent care of the restaurants so he doesn’t have to always be in them. This also allows him to continue playing music with his friends, further establishing himself as a business man and a Jazz musician.
Recently, Criscuolo released his sixth Jazz album, “Headin’ Out,” which was met with rave reviews— a testament to his work ethic, passion and creativity.
So, stop by and enjoy the Jazzeria atmosphere, as well as delicious dishes perfected and crafted by a man whose family shaped the pizzeria industry here in Fairfield County.