Who IS The Godfather of Fusion?
Larry Coryell
Larry was one of the first pioneers of the jazz-rock/fusion movement that began in the mid 1960's. He remained an influential and integral part of jazz music throughout his 50+ year career as a musician. He made the History books and tons of music! Larry was a guitar virtuoso and mastered many styles. He played with the best of the best. He was the best of the best.
Early Days
Larry was born on April 2, 1943 in Galveston, Texas. He moved to Richland, Washington when he was 7 and began playing guitar when he was 13. Prior to that he played piano under the instruction of his mother, Cora Coryell. His first guitar teacher was the late jazz guitarist, John LaChapelle. John gave Larry his first dive into learning "jazz" guitar and Larry was hooked.
The Latter Days of Larry
Most people didn't know that Larry developed a serious passion for Opera during the last 10 years of his life. Ever the pioneer, at age 65 he embarked on a new musical journey: learning and composing Opera. War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy was his first Opera. Anna Karenina by Tolstoy was his second. His dream was to have both of these world premiered. 2014 War & Peace was premiered in Europe and again in Russia. Anna Karenina was premiered in Russia of 2017...alas, as a tribute to Larry. His third opera was never completed, which was based on James Joyce's, Ulysses. It was scheduled to world premier in Dublin Ireland June, 2018...Larry passed on February 19, 2017 and didn't get to see Anna or Ulysses.
Subscribe
Sign up to hear upcoming shows, albums, and events.
