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Larry Willis at the Jazz Standard
The multitalented pianist brings various styles
Larry Willis
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Larry Willis’ career has always found the jazz pianist surrounded by talent. At just nineteen, he began his career playing keys for the great Jackie McLean. His varied and accomplished lifetime as a musician, composer and bandleader has included stints with jazz-rock band Blood, Sweat and Tears and encouraging young talent in both Branford Marsalis and Terence Blanchard. Willis continues this practice—of rooting out and playing with fresh, versatile talent—with a four-day stint at the Jazz Standard.
Growing up in New York City, Willis attended the Manhattan School of Music studying music theory. He studied everything from jazz to classical choral music, even singing with the Music and Arts Chorale Ensemble, but chose to concentrate on jazz because of the difficulty the classical choral world presented in terms of African Americans obtaining work. The move toward jazz proved to be an advantageous one, as Willis is now one of the jazz world’s most progressive and versatile players and composers.
His most recent incarnation is the Larry Willis Quintet. The group includes lyrical altoist Joe Ford and Billy Drummond, whose prowess on the drums has earned him spots as Professor of Jazz Drums at both Juilliard and NYU. Willis, drawing on his entire body of work, incorporated elements of jazz-fusion, be-bop and avant garde to create a sound all his own and the quintet is truly a sight to behold live.
The run begins August 27 and concludes on the 30th. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit jazzstandard.net.