Larry Willis
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Elliott Willis is an American
jazz
pianist
and composer
. He has performed in a wide range of styles, including jazz fusion
rock music
, Bebop
and Avant-Garde
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!, 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. He is still recording and touring around the world.
Throughout his illustrious career he has performed with a wide range of musicians, including a stint of seven years as keyboardist for Blood, Sweat & Tears
(beginning in 1972). His latest recording with Paul Murphy, Exposé , demonstrates the high energy fusion principals of Bebop and Avant-Garde Jazz. Their brilliant blending of Bebop and Avant garde jazz is astounding, creating extraordinary compositions that have been described as a ‘fantastic masterpiece of modern jazz’ leaving extraordinary representational images of vast dream state emotions.
With Carmen McRae
With Lee Morgan
With Alphonse Mouzon
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. He has performed in a wide range of styles, including jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, Bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
and Avant-Garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
After his first year studying music theory at the Manhattan School of Music
Manhattan School of Music
The Manhattan School of Music is a major music conservatory located on the Upper West Side of New York City. The school offers degrees on the bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels in the areas of classical and jazz performance and composition...
he began performing regularly with Jackie McLean
Jackie McLean
John Lenwood McLean was an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator, born in New York City.-Biography:McLean's father, John Sr., played guitar in Tiny Bradshaw's orchestra...
. After he graduated he made his first jazz recording, McLean's Right Now!, 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
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers"...
under the direction of Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
. He decided to concentrate on jazz because of the difficulties African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
musicians had in finding work in concert music. He is still recording and touring around the world.
Throughout his illustrious career he has performed with a wide range of musicians, including a stint of seven years as keyboardist for Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears is an American music group, originally formed in 1967 in New York City. Since its beginnings in 1967, the band has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and has encompassed a multitude of musical styles...
(beginning in 1972). His latest recording with Paul Murphy, Exposé , demonstrates the high energy fusion principals of Bebop and Avant-Garde Jazz. Their brilliant blending of Bebop and Avant garde jazz is astounding, creating extraordinary compositions that have been described as a ‘fantastic masterpiece of modern jazz’ leaving extraordinary representational images of vast dream state emotions.
As leader
- A New Kind of Soul, 1970
- Inner Crisis, 1973 (Groove MerchantGroove MerchantGroove Merchant was an American jazz and R&B record label during the 1970s. It was ran by producer Sonny Lester and distributed by Pickwick Records. Notable artists included Chick Corea, O'Donel Levy, Buddy Rich, Jimmy McGriff, and Lionel Hampton to name a few...
) - My Funny Valentine, 1988
- Just in Time, 1989
- Solo Spirit, 1992
- Steal Away, 1992 (Sledgehammer BluesSledgehammer BluesSledgehammer Blues is an independent record label owned by Valley Entertainment that was formerly named AudioQuest Music.From the label’s website, “The blues label was founded in the late 1980s with the mission to create the highest standard audiophile recordings based on the technology available...
) - Tribute to Someone, 1993 (Sledgehammer BluesSledgehammer BluesSledgehammer Blues is an independent record label owned by Valley Entertainment that was formerly named AudioQuest Music.From the label’s website, “The blues label was founded in the late 1980s with the mission to create the highest standard audiophile recordings based on the technology available...
) - Heavy Blue, 1994
- How Do You Keep the Music Playing, 1994
- Let's Play, 1994
- Unforgettable, 1995
- Serenade, 1995
- If Trees Could Talk with Hamiet BluiettHamiet BluiettHamiet Bluiett is an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. His primary instrument is the baritone saxophone, and he is considered one of the finest living players of this instrument...
, 1999 - Every Rung Goes Higher, 2001
- Sunshower with Kash Killion, Steve Novosel, Paul Murphy, Steve BerriosSteve BerriosSteve Berrios is a jazz drummer and percussionist born in New York, New York. He started playing trumpet, but is not known for the instrument. He often performs in the Afro-Cuban jazz medium, having done stints with Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers, Joe Panama and Mongo Santamaría...
, 2001 - Sanctuary with Joe Ford, Ray Codrington, Steve Novosel, Steve Berrios, Artie Sherman and the Rick Schmidt Strings, 2003
- The Powers of Two 1+2 with Paul Murphy, 2004 und 2006
- The Big Push, 2006
As sideman
With Jackie McLeanJackie McLean
John Lenwood McLean was an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator, born in New York City.-Biography:McLean's father, John Sr., played guitar in Tiny Bradshaw's orchestra...
- Right Now!Right Now! (Jackie McLean album)Right Now! is an album by American saxophonist Jackie McLean recorded in 1965 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars and stated "Altoist McLean was at the peak of his powers during this period and, inspired by the versatile...
(1965) - JacknifeJacknife (album)Jacknife is an album by American saxophonist Jackie McLean recorded in 1965 but not released until 1975 on the Blue Note label. The album was initially released as a double LP containing sessions from 1965 and 1966 but the single CD release only contains those tracks from 1965.-Reception:The...
(1965)
With Carmen McRae
Carmen McRae
Carmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable...
- Carmen Sings MonkCarmen Sings MonkCarmen Sings Monk is a 1988 studio album by the American jazz singer Carmen McRae, focusing on the songs composed by Thelonious Monk.-Track listing:# "Get It Straight" – 3:58...
(1988)
With Lee Morgan
Lee Morgan
Edward Lee Morgan was an American hard bop trumpeter.-Biography:...
- InfinityInfinity (Lee Morgan album)Infinity is an album by jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan released on the Blue Note label. It was recorded on November 16, 1965 but not released until 1980 and features performances by Morgan with a quintet featuring Jackie McLean, Larry Willis, Reggie Workman and Billy Higgins.-Reception:The Allmusic...
(1965)
With Alphonse Mouzon
Alphonse Mouzon
Alphonse Mouzon is a well-known jazz-fusion drummer and percussionist, and the Chairman/CEO of Tenacious Records. He also composes, arranges and produces, as well as acts...
- The Essence of MysteryThe Essence of MysteryThe Essence of Mystery is the debut album by American jazz drummer Alphonse Mouzon recorded in 1972 and released in 1973 on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(1972)