LARRY CORYELL is one of the world's foremost acknowledged guitar masters. He has recorded more than 75 albums over the past 35 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.

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, the 5th Dimension, 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 Brubeck Brothers.

In 1983 Larry adapted the ballets Rite of Spring and Firebird for one guitar. He also adapted the ballet Petrouchka for two guitars. These were recorded and produced in New York by legendary producer Teo Macero on Phillips Phonogram.

Going back to his former alma mater , the University of Washington, Larry has brought his knowledge and professional technique to top-level music students in recent years, adding to his stature as "one who can DO, as well as teach" already established by his 2 hard-cover books on the subject published by Miller-Freeman.

The Hal Leonard Corporation released a retrospective print folio of Larry's own compositions, with works representing the full span of his 35 years-and-counting as a professional musician, composer and innovator as well as his autobiography in 2005 ” My Life, Improvising”.

He currently endorses Sibelius Music Software, Henrickson Amps and DR Strings and Parker Guitars. Coming soon, is the custom made-to-order Larry Coryell acoustic guitar.

Some of the recent recordings Larry has done are available from Chesky Records ("Impressions" ), Chesky Records (“Electric”), Self-Release (“Live In Seattle”), HighNote ("Cedars Of Avalon"), In & Out Records("Tricycles"), InAkustik (“Earthquake At The Avalon”).

DVD releases - Larry Coryell, A Retrospective (2007 by InAkustik)

Orchestral Works
1992 - Concerto pour Cote d’ Opal - concerto
1999 - Sentenza del Cuore - concerto
2006 - Chicago Christmas Quartet - string quartet
2007 - December 13 (working title)- concerto
2009 - Waltz Of The Princess Fairy - string quartet
2009 - Tender Tears (working title) - string quartet

The two concertos for guitars and orchestra and has had six performances to date , in the 90’s, 2000’s, in France, Greece and Spain and May of 2009 in Quebec, Canada.

Current projects include:
‘Make Believil‘- an original musical
‘Princess Faerie and The Lamb Flower’ - an original ballet
‘Larry Coryell’s Strings Of Fusion’ - classical-jazz fusion original string quartets

www.larrycoryell.net