Once identified with on-the-edge free music, keyboardist
Larry Willis had a profitable flirtation with fusion in the '70s, then moved to hard bop in the '80s and '90s.
Willis' playing has been frenetic, ambitious, and interesting, but during his jazz-rock and fusion days it was funky but greatly restrained and simplistic. A devotee of
Herbie Hancock,
Willis has found a good balance, with expertly constructed modal solos and also lyrical, relaxed statements.
Willis graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in the early '60s, then played with
Jackie McLean and
Hugh Masekela. He recorded with
Lee Morgan and
McLean in the mid-'60s, and worked with
Kai Winding and
Stan Getz, as well as recording with
Robin Kenyatta in 1969.
Willis turned to synthesizer and electric piano in the '70s, doing sessions with
Cannonball Adderley,
Earl May,
Joe Henderson,
Richard "Groove" Holmes, and
Masekela again. He joined
Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1972, recorded with
Alphonse Mouzon in both 1972 and 1973, and did dates as a leader and freelance session musician.
Willis also recorded with
Ryo Kawasaki and
Sonny Fortune in the late '70s, and with
David "Fathead" Newman and
Carla Bley in the '80s.
Willis toured and recorded with
Nat Adderley in the '80s and joined
Woody Shaw's quintet in 1986. He's done sessions as a leader for Groove Merchant, Steeplechase, Audioquest, Brunswick, and Mapleshade, among others, including
Blue Fable and
Offering on Highnote in 2007 and 2008, respectively. ~ Ron Wynn and Michael G. Nastos