Biography by Ron Wynn
Once
identified with on-the-edge free music, keyboardist Larry Willis had a
profitable flirtation with fusion in the '70s, then moved to hard bop in
the '80s and '90s. Willis' playing has been frenetic, ambitious, and
interesting, but during his jazz-rock and fusion days it was funky but
greatly restrained and simplistic. A devotee of Herbie Hancock, Willis
has found a good balance, with expertly constructed modal solos and also
lyrical, relaxed statements. Willis graduated from the Manhattan School
of Music in the early '60s, then played with Jackie McLean and Hugh
Masekela. He recorded with Lee Morgan and McLean in the mid-'60s, and
worked with Kai Winding and Stan Getz, as well as recording with Robin
Kenyatta in 1969. Willis turned to synthesizer and electric piano in the
'70s, doing sessions with Cannonball Adderley, Earl May, Joe Henderson,
Richard "Groove" Holmes, and Masekela again. He joined Blood, Sweat
& Tears in 1972, recorded with Alphonse Mouzon in both 1972 and
1973, and did dates as a leader and freelance session musician. Willis
also recorded with Ryo Kawasaki and Sonny Fortune in the late '70s, and
with David "Fathead" Newman and Carla Bley in the '80s. Willis toured
and recorded with Nat Adderley in the '80s and joined Woody Shaw's
quintet in 1986. He's done sessions as a leader for Groove Merchant,
Steeplechase, Audioquest, Brunswick, and Mapleshade, among others,
including Blue Fable and Offering on Highnote in 2007 and 2008,
respectively.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/larry-willis-mn0000114935/biography
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Identificado en su día con la música libre de vanguardia, el teclista Larry Willis tuvo un provechoso coqueteo con la fusión en los años 70, y luego se pasó al hard bop en los 80 y 90. La forma de tocar de Willis ha sido frenética, ambiciosa e interesante, pero durante sus días de jazz-rock y fusión era funky pero muy contenida y simplista. Devoto de Herbie Hancock, Willis ha encontrado un buen equilibrio, con solos modales construidos por expertos y también declaraciones líricas y relajadas. Willis se graduó en la Manhattan School of Music a principios de los 60, y luego tocó con Jackie McLean y Hugh Masekela. Grabó con Lee Morgan y McLean a mediados de los 60, y trabajó con Kai Winding y Stan Getz, además de grabar con Robin Kenyatta en 1969. Willis se pasó al sintetizador y al piano eléctrico en los años 70 y realizó sesiones con Cannonball Adderley, Earl May, Joe Henderson, Richard "Groove" Holmes y Masekela de nuevo. Se unió a Blood, Sweat & Tears en 1972, grabó con Alphonse Mouzon tanto en 1972 como en 1973, e hizo fechas como líder y músico de sesión independiente. Willis también grabó con Ryo Kawasaki y Sonny Fortune a finales de los 70, y con David "Fathead" Newman y Carla Bley en los 80. Willis estuvo de gira y grabó con Nat Adderley en los 80 y se unió al quinteto de Woody Shaw en 1986. Ha realizado sesiones como líder para Groove Merchant, Steeplechase, Audioquest, Brunswick y Mapleshade, entre otros, incluyendo Blue Fable y Offering en Highnote en 2007 y 2008, respectivamente.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/larry-willis-mn0000114935/biography
1 - Valdosta Blues - 6:24
2 - Steal Away - 13:33
3 - Fallen Hero - 3:15
4 - "D" Bass-ic Blues - 8:35
5 - Ethiopia - 9:04
6 - The Meaning Of The Blues - 6:42
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – Gary Bartz
Art Direction, Design – Merlin Clarke
Bass – Cecil McBee
Cover – Joanna Ashe
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By – Mark Kornbluth, Michael Wilderman
Piano – Larry Willis
Producer – Joe Harley
Recorded By – Pierre M. Sprey
Recorded at Mapleshade Studios, Upper Marlboro, MD DEcember 23 and 24, 1991
Label: AudioQuest Music – AQ-CD1009
Released: 1992
Genre: Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/9078206-Larry-Willis-Steal-Away
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