Larry Coryell is one of the world's acknowledged guitar masters. He has recorded more than 85 albums over the past 50 years as a bandleader, soloist and 'featured accompanist'. Hailed by his legion of fans as one of "the guitar gods" in the late 1970s and as a "truly Renaissance musician who excels at all styles of playing", he has also been christened as "a true pioneer of rock-jazz fusion" by the New York Times, and dubbed "the Godfather of Fusion" by Dan Ouellette of Down Beat Magazine.
Born in Galveston, Texas, Larry credits Chet Atkins, Chuck Berry and (later on) Wes Montgomery, as his prime influences....
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Larry Coryell is one of the world's acknowledged guitar masters. He has recorded more than 85 albums over the past 50 years as a bandleader, soloist and 'featured accompanist'. Hailed by his legion of fans as one of "the guitar gods" in the late 1970s and as a "truly Renaissance musician who excels at all styles of playing", he has also been christened as "a true pioneer of rock-jazz fusion" by the New York Times, and dubbed "the Godfather of Fusion" by Dan Ouellette of Down Beat Magazine.
Born in Galveston, Texas, Larry credits Chet Atkins, Chuck Berry and (later on) Wes Montgomery, as his prime influences.
Larry arrived in New York City via Seattle in 1965, and began honing his formidable instrumental skill as the basis for his musical expression. To master every aspect of the guitar, Larry also studied classical guitar with Leonid Bolotine. After developing the first incarnation of his virtuoso technique Larry played his "first big time job" with Killer Joe Piro. National recognition then came during his tenure with the Gary Burton Quartet in 1967.
The late 60s thru early 70s saw Larry as one of the most in-demand guitarists in Rock, Jazz and all musical genres. During that time Larry was part of Rock's experimentation, and toured with Jack Bruce, and was featured in sessions with Jimmy Webb, Charles Mingus, Billy Cobham, Chick Corea and John McLaughlin. Through the albums produced during this period, Larry Coryell emerged as a profound music prophet who merged Rock, Jazz, Eastern modes and scales and free-form improv flashing Classical riffs.
In 1974 Larry formed The 11th House , the most popular and successful Fusion band of its time, which included his friend and colleague Randy Brecker. After The 11th House disbanded, Larry was signed by Clive Davis for Arista Records, where he made a series of solo albums, followed by a direct-to-disc recording with the Brecker Brothers.
Hal Leonard Corporation released a retrospective print folio of Larry's own compositions, with works representing the full span of his 40 years-and-counting as a professional musician, composer and innovator, as well as his autobiography , released 2007. Also 2 hard-cover teaching books published by Miller-Freeman.
Larry endorses Sibelius Music Software and DR Strings. Currently, Larry performs worldwide, teaches privately and at universities and composes on a regular bases. His latest works include: Scenes from an Opera entitled "War and Peace" based on Tolstoy's novel, two Concertos, six String Quartets, arrangement for six guitars of Stravinsky's Rite Of Spring and many jazz compositions.
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