Larry Goldings is considered by many to be one of today’s premiere jazz organists, pianists and composers. He possesses both a respect for tradition and an insatiable desire for exploration that puts him in a class by himself. Larry’s playing is at once lyrical, soulful, and sophisticated. His musical language, while strongly accented by the blues, also is influenced by his deep understanding of harmony, his love for American popular song and contemporary classical music, and his unique compositional instincts.

Born and raised in the Boston area, Larry started playing the piano by ear at the age of nine. By the age of twelve, he had developed a love for jazz and sought out private instruction. His formative instructors included Peter Casino, the avant-garde Ran Blake, and world-renowned pianist, Keith Jarrett. In 1986, Larry left his Boston home to enroll in an innovative pilot jazz program at the New School for Social Research in New York City. It was there he began his professional career, being asked to tour and record with jazz singing legend, Jon Hendricks. Among his other teachers at the school were pianists Sir Roland Hanna, Jaki Byard, Fred Hersch, and guitarist Jim Hall, who, impressed with Larry’s piano playing, asked him to join his band. He did, for a collaboration lasting almost three years. Experiences such as these quickly put Larry, in the words of Pat Metheny, "into that elite and small group of ‘great piano players.’"

In 1988, Larry happened upon a regular gig at a pianoless bar called Augie’s on New York’s Upper West Side. This became Larry’s training ground as an organist where he was featured with several bands, including those of drummer Leon Parker and saxophonist Jesse Davis. Most important, Larry’s own trio with guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Bill Stewart got its auspicious start there, and the three musicians have since developed a musical rapport rarely seen in jazz groups today.

After college, Larry began exploring another of his passions - funk music - with Maceo Parker, one of the most influential figures in the history of funk. Worldwide exposure with Maceo brought Larry a record deal and the start of a solo career with a 1991 release for Verve Records called The Intimacy of the Blues. While riding the wave of an organ resurgence, Larry quickly made a name for himself as the most original and versatile organists on the scene. Guitarist John Scofield recognized this, and in 1993 hired Larry to play in what became one of Scofield’s most highly acclaimed bands.

Larry has made six recordings, including three critically acclaimed CDs for Warner Brothers. As a sideman he is on more than 30 CDs with such artists as John Scofield, Jim Hall, Maceo Parker, James Moody, and Jon Hendricks. Upcoming projects in 1999-2000 include touring and recording with Michael Brecker and Carla Bley, and in 2000, Larry will be artist-in-residence in Copenhagen, teaching and performing through a program funded in part by the Danish government.

Larry's latest recording, "Voodoo Dogs" is somewhat of a departure. Teaming up with guitarist/engineer Bob Ward, Larry is featured in an environment of drum loops, exotic samples, and electric keyboards that keeps the listener of the edge of their seats. "Voodoo Dogs" places Larry in a sonic landscape that is difficult to classify, but is very satisfying to listen to.

Just released is " As One" is Larry's second organ trio CD for the adventurous independent label, Palmetto, and features Larry;'s stellar band of Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart. As One stretches the boundaries of the organ trio format, and is the trio's most satisfying record to date. Larry brings us five deftly crafted new compositions, including a striking solo organ piece, Glass. Rounding out the session are a handful of tunes borrowed from the past and present: Henderson/Brown's The Thrill Is Gone, The Zombie's Time Of The Season, and Bill Stewart's haunting Mynah. As always, the trio discovers and rediscovers this music with originality, spontaneity, and intelligence.