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Larry Young

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

Larry Young was an American jazz organist, born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1940 and later also known as Khalid Yasin. In the 1950s he played in R&B bands and gained jazz experience with Jimmy Forrest, Lou Donaldson and Kenny Dorham, among others. He made his first records as a leader from 1960 for Prestige: Testifying, Young Blues and Groove Street. These are soul jazz, strongly influenced by Jimmy Smith.

Music and breakthrough

Around 1964 he signed with Blue Note and his music began to show the influence of John Coltrane. He now made his most lasting work. He often played in a trio with the guitarist Grant Green and the drummer Elvin Jones, and Into Somethin' with the saxophonist Sam Rivers became his Blue Note debut. Unity from 1965 is his best-known album, with Joe Henderson and the young Woody Shaw. Later records such as Contrasts, Of Love and Peace and Heaven on Earth also drew in the avant-garde of the 1960s. After that he was one of the first musicians in fusion, on Emergency! with Tony Williams Lifetime and on Miles Davis's Bitches Brew. He also recorded a jam with Jimi Hendrix, which appeared after Hendrix's death on Nine to the Universe.

Influence

Young treated the Hammond B-3 organ in a modal, experimental way and away from the bluesy style of his predecessors. He often played percussively and used guitar-like and synthesizer-like effects. In 1978 he died in hospital at the age of 37, the precise cause of death being unclear.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Unity and notice how the organ does not merely play chords, but with free, open lines challenges the horns of Joe Henderson and Woody Shaw.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists