Larry Ham

Biography
Articles

Pianist, composer and arranger Larry Ham has long been a noted New York based jazz musician. Reviewing a recent CD, David Dupont of Cadence Jazz Magazine writes, “He glides over the keys, with every note articulated cleanly…his playing is masterful.” And Mike Neely in AllAboutJazz calls him “…a pianist well on his way to becoming a jazz master.”

Larry’s professional career began in the late ‘80s with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. He was pianist in the Illinois Jacquet Big Band 1990-95, and has worked extensively with countless other jazz legends including Junior Cook and Dakota Staton. He has appeared at jazz festivals, concerts and nightclubs throughout the United States, Europe, West Africa, Canada, India and Japan.

Larry has performed for three US Presidents, and was a US State Department Jazz Ambassador to West Africa in 2001 and 2002. He has a BA in Musical Studies from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, and an MA in Jazz Performance from Queens College in New York City. He is currently an Adjunct Instructor in Jazz Piano and Jazz Studies at Bard College, SUNY New Paltz, and Dutchess Community College.

Ali Ryerson: The Ali Ryerson Quartet

Read "The Ali Ryerson Quartet" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian

by Hrayr Attarian
June 1, 2026

Accomplished flutist Ali Ryerson is one of the most exciting proponents of the instrument in jazz. Over the course of a long career, both performing and teaching, she has honed a unique style. It is rooted in the Western classical tradition. Yet it has a boppish and soulful spontaneity. Her 17th release as a leader, simply titled The Ali Ryerson Quartet, showcases her masterful command of the instrument and signature sound. The energetic “Chuck's Tune" is a perfect ...

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Album Review

Larry Ham: Carousel

by Mike Neely
December 18, 2008

Pianist Larry Ham's first release as a leader, Carousel (West Village Music, 2007) is notable not only for the quality of the trio's performance but also for Ham's compositions. In 2008 Ham released a fine solo recording, Larry Ham, Just Me, Just You... for Arbors Records. These two CDs suggest that Ham is an extraordinarily accomplished jazz musician who will likely be an influential presence on the mainstream jazz scene for years to come.

In addition to seven ...

547

Album Review

Larry Ham: Just Me, Just You

Read "Just Me, Just You" reviewed by Mike Neely

by Mike Neely
July 31, 2008

Larry Ham's solo release, Just Me, Just You, introduces a pianist well on his way to becoming a jazz master. He's got the touch, the intensity and the intelligence, and he's as good a soloist as an accompanist, as his recordings with the Earl May and Dave Glasser quartets attest. Just Me, Just You provides all the evidence required to cover the solo terrain, with a line-up of familiar tunes and three originals. This is a swinging, thoughtful set of ...