Guitarist Larry Coryell died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday. An early jazz-rock innovator he was anything but tunnel-visioned as witnessed by the only time I heard him live which was in 2011 as a member of Mumbai Jazz at Gateshead Old Town Hall. (Where the photo was taken by Pam Young)
It was a concert that I'd gone to with some misgivings but was completely won over, not least by Coryell's playing. A magical evening.
Maurice Summerfield sent me this notification of Larry Coryell's passing that he [Maurice] had received from one of his American contacts.- Dan Del Fiorentino.
"The Godfather of Fusion and a dear friend to so many, Larry Coryell passed away at the age of 73.
I remember the first time I met Larry at the Anaheim NAMM Show in 2001. He and Joe Beck provided an educational session in the NAMM Lounge, now known as the Idea Center. He was so gracious and so talented!
I remember the first time I met Larry at the Anaheim NAMM Show in 2001. He and Joe Beck provided an educational session in the NAMM Lounge, now known as the Idea Center. He was so gracious and so talented!
Larry enjoyed a long career as a jazz guitarist. In addition to touring and recording on his own, Larry worked with some of the greatest names in jazz. Over the years he developed his own method of playing and wrote a series of teaching books and DVDs. His educational publications have provided new material for the jazz student and encouraged many music programs to include a study of jazz guitar. As a composer, Larry wrote several songs which he recorded and used for his video instructional products.
Here is a segment from his 2008 NAMM Oral History interview:
Last night when I heard the news of his passing, this is the first thing I thought of...
Dan
Thank you Maurice and Dan.
A great loss. May he Rest In Peace.
Lance.
Yes Lance this was such a wonderful concert. Very sad news.
ReplyDeleteNooo he came to see New York Brass Band at Guinness Cork Jazz in October! He chatted with our guitarist Al Morrison in the toilets!
ReplyDeleteNumber 1 son announced the news when I arrived back from work.
ReplyDeleteNearly went to see him last year (or the year before) at Pizza Express but something came up. Things are going to have to stop coming up so I can stop nearly seeing people.
He was an extraordinary guitarist; if McLaughlin was the Hendrix of Jazz-rock, Coryell was the Clapton, and without Clapton we'd likely never have had Hendrix.