Larry Coryell Trio

Larry Coryell deserves a special place in the jazz history books because he brought a revolutionary sensibility to electric guitar playing; a hard-edged, cutting tone and phrasing that owed as much to blues, rock, and even country, as it did to modern post-bop jazz. That might be said of a few others who arrived later, but Larry was the pioneer; a true eclectic blessed with impeccable technique. He created an identity in an era when so many of the players merely sounded like clones of those who had influenced them. It is true that Coryell’s synthesis jumps from Ravel to Rimsky-Korsakov to rock; not reflecting an identity crisis, but rather, an uninhibited musical awareness. He has been comfortable in almost every style from decibel-heavy electric work to the most delicate, soothing, intricate lines on acoustic guitar. In between there is finger-spraining, fretboard-busting, pyrotechnic virtuosity. This description only serves to introduce a complex and brilliant player.

Visionary vibraphonist Gary Burton hired Larry at a time when jazz was stagnant and musicians were searching for new inspiration. Shortly thereafter, Coryell helped form the jazz-rock band, Eleventh House, which featured trumpeter Randy Brecker and drummer Alphonse Mouzon. The band’s phenomenal success led to concert appearances alongside Chick Corea’s revolutionary Return to Forever band, largely laying the groundwork for the genre lamentably labeled jazz-rock fusion or just “fusion.”  Pure jazz performances and numerous recordings over several years erased the burdensome fusion stigma, although he can and does still go there, usually with bassist Victor Bailey and drummer Lenny White.
 
Larry Coryell is essentially a jazz musician with an unfettered commitment to swing. As expected, on this live date, Coryell’s third for our organization, there are two players in the band with whom he is very familiar and comfortable. Great thanks are owed to Indianapolis electric bassist Jonathan Wood, an absolutely rock-steady player with a full, resonant tone, great technique and anticipation; and to the energetic and awesome Chicago drummer, Paul Wertico, who rounds out this formidable group and leaves it all on the band stand every time he plays.

Much the same must be said for the entire Larry Coryell Trio’s effort on this date. They brought the fire and raised the temperature in the place. South Florida JAZZ hopes you have as much fun listening to this music as the players had in creating it. 

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