This week we feature NY guitarist Larry Woods. Larry is a bit unusual as he plays touch guitar, and plays up to 3 guitars at the same time. Check him out.

Online Bio

Larry first gained recognition as a solo artist in 1989 when a producer for Brookhaven Cable heard Larry trying out guitars in a local music store. Larry was given a live guest spot on the station's weekly talk show. The viewer response was so tremendous that the station replayed the show several times in the following weeks and requested Larry's return the next month where he was given an entire show.

Word spread quickly about this talented performer and soon Larry found himself opening for acts at colleges and outdoor festivals. It was at one of these festivals that a programmer for Steppingstone Park in Great Neck NY., heard Larry and offered him a spot as one of the opening acts for jazz great LIONEL HAMPTON. Larry had truly come a long way for someone who had been playing guitar for only two years!!

IN late 1991, Larry decided to record a solo album titled "ALONE" which was released on his own label. Larry's bluesy rendition of the STAR SPANGLED BANNER, as well as his own composition BLUE NOTES garnered him a spot in the esteemed BIKA BLUES FESTIVAL in NJ. opening for blues great BO DIDDLEY. BO DIDDLEY was so impressed, he asked Larry to perform with him the following week at Manny's Carwash in NY City.

Larry decided to put a group together in May 1992 after much positive response from the last track on the "ALONE" album, LET THE PIECES FALL, which is the only track with other instrumentation (Larry did all of the bass, drum and keyboard programming). Now with a bassist and a drummer, combined with Larry's ability to play chords and melody at he same time, the result is a High Energy, R&B Flavored jazz with a Soulful, Contemporary appeal. Combine this with Scat Singing and his tremendous stage presence and you have a show that is not typical of most jazz artists.

Larry Woods's website with sound clips

Homepage: http://www.peconic.net/members/amin7b5/larry.htm
Three Guitars: http://www.peconic.net/members/amin7b5/ztar.htm

Doc Dosco is a jazz guitarist, composer and audio consultant living in Los Angeles, CA. His website is located at http://www.docdosco.com, where you can find more information on the 'What's Hot with Jazz Guitar' columns, audio clips of Doc's playing, and many additional features. Doc endorses Heritage Guitars and is a featured artist on their website. He also endorses the new Pignose Valve Tube Amps -- great for jazz (and anything else!)