Larry Coryell©Andrea Canter

One of the “Guitar Gods” of jazz and fusion, Larry Coryell brings his acclaimed organ trio with Joe Bagg (Hammond B-3) and Alphonse Mouzon (drums) to St. Paul for one night at the Artists Quarter on December 6th. Credited with giving birth to the fusion movement of the 70s, particularly with his band Eleventh House, Coryell has been a popular performer in the Twin Cities, appearing at the Dakota Jazz Club most recently in 2006. This will be his first visit with Bagg and Mouzon. 

Larry Coryell was born in Galveston, TX. After trying out several other instruments including piano, he finally settled on the guitar in his teens, and absorbed the influences of Wes Montgomery, Chet Atkins and Chuck Berry. Larry moved to Seattle and then New York City in the mid 60s where he studied classical guitar and played with Chico Hamilton. He first gained recognition playing with Gary Burton’s quartet. His reputation in both jazz and rock grew as he later toured with Herbie Mann, rocker Jack Bruce, John McLaughlin Jimmy Webb, the 5th Dimension, Charles Mingus, Billy Cobham, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Chick Corea. With Randy Brecker, Coryell formed Eleventh House in 1974, which became the most influential fusion band of the era. Once Eleventh House disbanded, Larry continued to work with his own bands and the Brecker Brothers, and in the late 70s, toured with McLaughlin and Paco de Luca in a guitar trio.  

Joe Bagg

In 2007, Coryell published his very candid autobiography, Improvising: My Life in Music (click here for a review) and has been teaching at his alma mater, the University of Washington where shares his vast knowledge and experience with a new generation of musicians. He continues to tour and record, most recently releasing Laid Back and Blues (2006) on Rhombus and Electric (2005), Traffic (2006) and Impressions: The New York Sessions (2008) on Chesky.  

Alhonse Mouzon©Drums and Percussion

Alphonse Mouzon (drums) studied music and medicine at City College of New York and Manhattan Medical School, played percussion for the Broadway production of Promises, Promises before joining McCoy Tyner and then legendary fusion band Weather Report. He was drummer for Larry Coryell’s Eleventh House from 1973-75. His career since has included stints with a long list of fusion and R&B artists, including an appearance with Miles Davis on the soundtrack to Dingo (1991), and founded the recording company Tenacious in 1992. Mouzon has a number of acting credits, including starring as Miles in the film, The High Life.

The Larry Coryell Trio performs two sets on Saturday, December 6th, at 8 and 10:30 pm; tickets $25. Reservations highly recommended at 612-292-1359. The Artists Quarter is located at 408 St. Peter Street, in the lower level of the Hamm Building in downtown St. Paul. For tickets, visit www.artistsquarter.com

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites