Larry's extraordinary career is led by this simple statement,
"I March to the Beat of My Own Drum!". EASY SIMPLE lays evidence to that. Known for jazz and the Touch Technique, Larry chose to set-out in a new direction by making a Pop/R&B cd using traditional style playing.

"Marching to My Own Drum means I do what feels right. This felt right! I was able to deliver exciting new and familiar music to my fans, yet maintain the high level of integrity they have come to expect".

Obviously, Larry is Marching to the Right Drum! This is by far his most exciting and electrifying cd yet.

Interview

GP: Easy Simple marks Larry's triumphant return. After taking time off, Larry has returned with an exciting and invigorating sound.

Larry: Being known for the "Touch Technique" quite often made me larger than the music. I would fill an audience with people that were fans of what I did with a guitar more than the music I was playing. I found it frustrating that people were coming to my concerts not to hear good music, but to see the guitar player that could play 2 guitars at the same time.


GP: So why did you take so long off from the music business?

Larry: I took time off mainly to discover who I am and what my role in the making of music is. I discovered that a major source of my frustration was due to the fact that I was playing music that I didn't have any personal connection to. I enjoy playing jazz standards but let's be real, Autumn Leaves is older than my parents.

GP: So you are saying that you don't like playing music that is old?

Larry: No, that's not it. What I'm saying is that a majority of jazz standards were nothing more than instrumental versions of the pop songs of the day. Autumn Leaves, My Favorite Things, My Funny Valentine were all pop songs. When I took a look at my role in the making of music I realized that jazz was stuck in an era that I didn't grow up in. I grew up listening to Hip Hop, Heavy Metal, and Madonna. I found it easier and more gratifying to play music I was connected to. I have never seen Charlie Parker perform Ornithology, but I have seen Madonna sing Like A Virgin (smiling).

GP: Oh What A Night is such a departure from the jazz sound. Even Smooth Jazz enthusiasts will find this a bit over-powering and beat driven. What made you choose this song?

Larry: I always loved this song as a young kid. In January 2009 I was listening to the radio and it came on. I fell in love with it all over again and decided to get the rights to record it. I wanted to update the sound a bit by giving it that hypnotic, repetitive drum machine sound. After I finished recording it, the sound was too polished. So to get a somewhat retro feel, I substituted the horns with a Hammond organ. This gave the track life. To address being over-powering for Smooth Jazz enthusiasts, it may very well be. But after spending so many years with my audience sitting there watching me play the guitar, it is refreshing to see my audience standing up dancing.