Larry Goldings: Versatility of Keyboards... And Music

R.J. DeLuke

Interviewer since 1999

R.J. DeLuke is an indefatigable jazz fan and arbiter elegantiarum who aspires to ultimate hipness; also an upstate NY freelance writer for various media.

Recent articles (265 total)

Published: January 30, 2006

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I've got a group with Jack DeJohnette and John Scofield and myself (Trio Beyond), we're going to Europe in July. And then I've got some gigs with Matt Wilson's group. Madeleine is off for a while, working on her next record. I've got some gigs with James Taylor, who I've been working with. We're actually going to do a handful of duo gigs in March and maybe a few other things with him.

I definitely have the opportunity to get this band out, I just have to figure out everybody else's schedule But it is hard. Like pulling teeth to get some decent gigs.

AAJ: A lot of people who put out records don't even get to tour, or get very little support.

LG: That's frequently been the scenario with me. The organ trio records. We'd make a record, but then I'd have a lot of sideman gigs I'm committed to—and I'm grateful for it. Particularly when the James Taylor thing came along, that gets busy sometimes. Sometimes maybe I didn't have my priorities together, but sometimes it came down to economics, where I had a few things boiling for the trio, but then a month or two with James Taylor came up and I had to do that.

Unfortunately, I've never quite figured out a better balance between getting my own groups out there and sideman work. It's tricky. I think it comes down to longer term planning, which I've never really done very well. That's why I'm already starting to think about the fall of 2006 for this group.

After almost 20 years of doing this, I'm finally figuring out that that's what you have to do. Make a long-term commitment and stick to it.

I'm motivated by the music that we made to get out there. I've traveled and toured a bunch with Matt. I know all of them really well. Personally, it will be a great hang and a great creative experience.

I've played some pretty remote places with Matt's group. Sometimes the strangest gigs are the most creative and bring the best stuff out of you. I'm not afraid to do some of those gigs. But it takes a little bit of patience to go from a cushy pop touring experience to getting back in the van and playing little places. But once I get out there, I realize that stuff is not that important anymore. It's all about the music.

It's all about balance and I'm still trying to find it.

Selected Discography

Larry Goldings, Quartet (Palmetto, 2006)
John Scofield, That's What I Say (Verve, 2005)
Jing Chi, 3D (Tone Center, 2004)
Madeleine Peyroux, Careless Love (Rounder, 2004)
Jessica Molaskey, Good Day (PS Classics, 2003)
Larry Goldings, Sweet Science (Palmetto, 2002)
Curtis Stigers, Secret Heart (Concord, 2002)
James Taylor, October Road (Sony, 2002)
Larry Goldings, As One (Palmetto, 2001)
Adam Levy, Buttermilk Channel (Orchard, 2001)
Larry Goldings/Bob Ward, Voodoo Dogs (Palmetto, 2000)
Matt Wilson, Arts and Crafts (Palmetto, 2000)
Indie.Arie, Acoustic Soul (Motown, 2000)
Dave Stryker, Shades of Miles (Steeplechase, 2000)
John Sneider, Panorama (Double-Time, 2000)
Carla Bley, 4 X 4 (Watt/ECM, 2000)
Larry Goldings, Moonbird (Palmetto, 1999)
Peter Bernstein, Brain Dance (Criss Cross, 1997)
Larry Goldings, Awareness (Warner Brothers, 1996)
Larry Goldings, Big Stuff (Warner Brothers, 1996)
James Moody, Young at Heart (Warner Brothers, 1996)
Larry Goldings, Whatever It Takes (Warner Brothers, 1995)
John Scofield, Groove Elation (Blue Note, 1995)
Chris Potter, Pure (Concord, 1994)
Dave Stryker, Blue Degrees (Steeplechase, 1994)
Larry Goldings, Caminhos Cruzados (Novus, 1993)
Jim Hall, Something Special (Music Masters, 1993)
Bob Belden, When Doves Cry: The Music of Prince (Metro Blue, 1993)
John Scofield, Hand Jive (Blue Note, 1993)
Larry Goldings, Light Blue (Minor Music, 1992)
Gary Burton, Six PacK (GRP, 1992)
Maceo Parker, Life on Planet Blue (Verve, 1992)
Larry Goldings, The Intimacy of the Blues (Verve, 1991)
Jim Hall, Subsequently (Music Masters, 1991)
Maceo Parker, Mo' Roots (Verve, 1991)
Jon Hendricks, Freddie Freeloader (Denon, 1990)