Larry Fuller is a world-class pianist rooted in the hard-swinging tradition of mainstream jazz: Video

14.07. – Happy Birthday !!! Raised in Toledo, Ohio, Larry Fuller began his musical studies at age 11, immediately showing a talent for jazz. At 13, Floyd “Candy” Johnson, a veteran of the Count Basie and Duke Ellington Orchestras, took Fuller under his wing, hiring him for regular paying gig. In his early years, Fuller became a regular on the Midwest jazz circuit, performing frequently in Detroit and Ann Arbor.

From 1988-1993, Fuller worked with vocal great Ernestine Anderson and moved to Seattle as her pianist and musical director. He performed and recorded with Anderson including on her Grammy-nominated CD, Now and Then.

In 1994, Fuller joined the trio of world-renowned drummer Jeff Hamilton, a 12-year associate of the Ray Brown Trio and member of the bands of Gene Harris and Oscar Peterson. Fuller performed with and recorded numerous JHT classics, including Live!, It’s Hamilton Time, and Live at Steamers.

In 2000, Fuller joined the Ray Brown Trio. Ray’s place in jazz history is well known, from the days of Dizzy Gillespie’s big band to his long-standing association with Oscar Peterson. Larry had the honor of being Brown’s last pianist.

From 2005-2013, Fuller performed with guitar and vocal great John Pizzarelli, touring and recording as part of the John Pizzarelli Quartet. Recordings include With a Song in My Heart, Double Exposure and Rockin’ In Rhythm.

Larry Fuller has also performed with Harry “Sweets” Edison, Stanley Turrentine, Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Herb Ellis, Marlena Shaw, Kevin Mahogany, John Clayton, John Heard, Bennie Golson, Emily Remler, Jimmy Witherspoon, Eddie Harris, Anita O’Day, Steve Allen, Regina Carter, Nicholas Payton, and John Legend.

Today, Fuller is based in New York City.