LARRY WILLIS
Lawrence Elliott “Larry” Willis (born December 20, 1940 New York – September 29, 2019 Baltimore) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He has performed in a wide range of styles, including jazz fusion, Afro Cuban Jazz, bebop and avant-garde.
Willis was born in New York City. After his first year studying music theory at the Manhattan School of Music he began performing regularly with Jackie McLean. After he graduated he made his first jazz recording, McLean’s Right Now! in January 1965, which featured two of Willis’ compositions. His first recording of any type, however, was as a singer with the Music and Arts Chorale Ensemble, performing an opera by Aaron Copland under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. He decided to concentrate on jazz because of the difficulties African American musicians had in finding work in concert music.
Throughout his career he has performed with a wide range of musicians, including several years as keyboardist for Blood, Sweat & Tears (beginning in 1972). He spent several years as pianist for Nat Adderley, as well as long and productive tenures with Roy Hargrove and with Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band. His latest recording with Paul Murphy, Exposé, demonstrated the fusion principles of bebop and avant-garde jazz. His composition “Sanctuary” began exploring works employing strings.[1] After a successful performance in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Annie Pfieffer Chapel at Florida Southern College’s Child of the Sun Jazz Festival he was commissioned to write a full scale orchestral work for jazz trio and orchestra. He received the Don Redman award in 2011, and the Benny Golson Jazz Master Award at Howard University in 2012.
Contents
Discography[edit]
As leader/co-leader[edit]
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As sideman[edit]With Roy Hargrove – Moment to Moment (Verve) 2000 With Jerry Gonzalez and The Fort Apache Band (Earth Dance, 1993 – Sunnyside ) (Crossroads, 1994 – Milestone) (Pensativo, 1995 – Milestone) (Fire Dance, 1996 – Milestone) With Nat Adderley
With Gary Bartz
With Cindy Blackman
With Carla Bley
With Louis Hayes
With Jimmy Heath
With Joe Henderson With Groove Holmes
With Clifford Jordan
With Robin Kenyatta
With Hugh Masekela
With Jackie McLean
With Carmen McRae
With Lee Morgan
With Alphonse Mouzon
With Valery Ponomarev
With Woody Shaw
With Steve Swallow
With Buddy Terry
With Norris Turney
With Fred Lipsius
With C. I. Williams
As co-leader[edit]With Heads of State
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References[edit]
- ^ Wynn, Ron. Larry Willis Artist Biography. AllMusic.
- ^ “Steal Away”. Valley Entertainment. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ All Music
