The Art of Art
Saturday, May 6, 2023, 8PM
Peristyle Theater
Toledo Jazz Orchestra
Larry Fuller, piano
In addition to being acclaimed for his virtuoso technique, Toledo native Art Tatum extended the vocabulary and boundaries of jazz piano far beyond his initial stride influences and established new ground in jazz through innovative use of reharmonization, voicing, and bitonality. Toledo native Larry fuller (piano) joins the Toledo Jazz Orchestra.
Yamaha-endorsed artist, Larry Fuller, is one of the premier mainstream jazz pianists living today. Raised in Toledo, Ohio, Fuller began his musical studies at age 11, immediately showing a talent for jazz. At the age of 13, Floyd “Candy” Johnson, a veteran of the Count Basie and Duke Ellington Orchestras, took Fuller under his wing, hiring him for regular paying gigs. 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 Jeff Hamilton Trio 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 manning the keys as 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.
Since 2013, Fuller has led the Larry Fuller Trio, performing prestigious venues and festivals internationally. He presents a musical program rarely experienced live today, receiving consistent praise for his emotive, swinging style, monster technique and program versatility.
In September 2014, Fuller’s chart-topping, self-titled album was released on Capri Records (Hassan Shakur on bass, Gregory Hutchinson on drums). The album received consistently exceptional praise. JazzTimes stated: “Fuller’s polished technique stems from two of his main influences, Oscar Peterson and Phineas Newborn, Jr., to which is added the blues acumen of a Gene Harris and the swinging drive of a Monty Alexander”.
In 2019, Fuller’s much anticipated new album, “OVERJOYED” was released on Capri Records. The album features a variety of swinging pieces – from Wes Montgomery to Stevie Wonder, George Gershwin to Ray Brown. And even a few Larry Fuller originals! The majority of tracks showcase Larry’s favorite format, The Trio, with two jazz greats who Larry loves making music with: Hassan Shakur on bass, Lewis Nash on drums.