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Larry Grenadier

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Larry Grenadier is an American jazz double bassist, born in San Francisco in 1966. His father played trumpet in Second World War army bands. Larry himself began on trumpet and switched to bass a year later. His older brother Phil played jazz records, and Larry listened to bassists such as Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, Paul Chambers and Wilbur Ware. At twelve he began formal lessons, and at sixteen he was already playing in the Bay Area with musicians such as Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson and Eddie Henderson. At Stanford he studied English literature and got to know Stan Getz, with whom he toured.

Music and breakthrough

After his studies he moved to Boston to play with the vibraphonist Gary Burton, and in 1991 to New York. There he worked with Joshua Redman, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mark Turner, Tom Harrell, Betty Carter and, again, Joe Henderson, among others. In the early 1990s he met the pianist Brad Mehldau, and he became a member of Mehldau's trio with the drummer Jorge Rossy. They toured and recorded for more than ten years. In 2004 Jeff Ballard took Rossy's place. He also played with the guitarist Pat Metheny in a trio with the drummer Bill Stewart, which he calls a great learning experience.

Influence

Under his own name he made albums such as Fear of Roaming, Songs, Costumes Are Mandatory and Driftwood. His playing is warm and melodic, and he is above all a bassist who listens and supports the others. Through his work with Mehldau and Metheny he is counted among the important bassists of contemporary jazz.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a track by Brad Mehldau's trio and notice the bass, which does not only keep the rhythm but also plays a melody of its own alongside the piano.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists