Legendary guitarist Larry Coryell, who helped pioneer jazz rock, passed away this Sunday (2/19) in his hotel room in NYC. He was 73. Billboard reports that he died in his sleep from natural causes. His death followed performances at NYC’s Iridum on Friday and Saturday, his last two shows ever.
Larry started out as the guitarist in Chico Hamilton’s group in the mid ’60s. He then formed the short-lived band rock band The Free Spirits that same decade, in which he played guitar, sitar, and sang, and experimented with fusing jazz and rock. The same year The Free Spirits released their sole album (1967), Larry lent his talents to Gary Burton’s Duster album, one of the earliest examples of jazz fusion (a genre Larry Coryell is often referred to as the godfather of). In the early ’70s, he formed the fusion band The Eleventh House. He’s also released several solo albums (and collaboration albums) from the late ’60s to present.
Rest in peace, Larry. You’ll be missed and your contributions to music will not be forgotten.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APV2S_cX2_U