Larry Carlton
b. 2 March 1948, Torrance, California, USA. Often cited as the guitarist's guitarist Carlton has successfully courted rock, jazz and acoustic ‘new age’ with considerable success. The former member of the Crusaderscarved a career during the '70s as a sought after session musician. His profile improved following some outstanding fluid playing over a number of years with Steely Dan. His distinctive ‘creamy’ Gibson 335 guitar sound was heard on countless records and his work on numerous Joni Mitchell albums arguably contributed to their success. Two notable examples are COURT AND SPARK and HEJIRA. His solo debut appeared in 1978. It was not until SLEEPWALK, including its title track (formerly a hit for Santo And Johnny), that Carlton was fully accepted as a solo artist in his own right. ALONE BUT NEVER ALONE found Larry playing acoustic guitar and the record proved a critical and commercial success. Both that album and DISCOVERY broadened Carlton's following. The live LAST NIGHT however saw a return to his jazz roots, and contains moments of breathtaking virtuosity. His version of Miles Davis’ So What is one of the finest ever interpretations. With ON SOLID GROUND Carlton demonstrated a stronger rock influence and produced a credible cover of Clapton's Layla and Steely Dan's Josie. He was awarded a Grammy in 1981 and again in 1987 for his version of Minute By Minute. In 1988 Carlton was shot in the neck by an intruder at his studio. After an emergency operation and many months of physio-therapy he made a full recovery. Carlton remains a master musician with an almost flawless catalogue.