Bob Holz: Honoring Larry Coryell

The late Larry Coryell, widely hailed as the godfather of jazz fusion, devoted decades to blending jazz improvisation with rock vitality. His influence on guitar technique still cuts across generations. Drummer and bandleader Bob Holz, a prominent West Coast fusion figure, pays homage through these two vibrant 2015 live sessions. Rather than a static relic, the album engages Coryell's spirit in fresh conversation, delivered by an ensemble intent on pushing forward rather than polishing a tombstone.

Coryell's bold yet intimate command of the instrument is unmistakable. His tone shifts from crystalline clarity to gritty distortion, threading lean jazz blues through swirling fuzz-driven bursts. Holz propels the rhythm section with a blend of precision and looseness, steering polyrhythmic currents with confident accents and a drummer's sense of when to stir the pot and when to let it simmer.

The ensemble unleashes unfiltered energy, fueled by saxophonists Jesse Collins and John Viavattine, Sr..'s impassioned solos. The extended opener merges Willie Dixon's "Spoonful" with Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" in a fluid, blues-infused exploration. Joy pulses through every phrase. This is a jubilant tribute rather than a solemn memorial. The musicians sound as if they are grinning their way through every sharp corner and hairpin turn.

"Yes We Can" unfolds as a soulful vamp. Dave Solazo's organ adds roadhouse grit while bassist John Viavatinne grounds the tune with sturdy, flickering lines. Coryell layers midrange harmonies with inventive improvisation, and his spirited runs spark lively dialogue across the bandstand. When the group hits a knotty voicing that Coryell might have loved, the gesture lands as warm kinship instead of mere stylistic mimicry.

"Avalon Canyon" bounces with a buoyant groove, lifted by one of the woodwind player's agile flute lines and Coryell's luminous counter lines. At the center sits a medley that reveals Coryell's remarkable reach: fiery bebop, hard-driving jazz fusion and calm modal reflection, all woven together with practiced ease.

The closing track, "Harper," blends memorable themes with shifting meters and ends the set on an exuberant note. Holz emerges not just as a skilled executor but as a perceptive steward who honors legacy by illuminating its intent. His solos feel unforced, concise yet meaningful.

Ultimately, Honoring Larry Coryell succeeds because Holz innovates from within the framework his predecessor built. You can hear the old master's fingerprints everywhere, yet nothing feels museum-ready. Devotees and new listeners alike will find it magnetic. It proves that the best tributes do not simply recall the departed; they keep the dialogue alive. One suspects Coryell would have endorsed this heartfelt, spirited salute with that sly grin he wore whenever the music caught fire.

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