Ticket Special: Larry Fuller Trio at Baur’s | Nov. 15

Raised in Toledo, Ohio, 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 gigs.  In his early years, Fuller became a regular on the Midwest jazz circuit, performing frequently in Detroit and Ann Arbor.

From 1988 to 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 being Brown’s last pianist.

From 2005 to 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.  The International Review of Music recognized Larry’s contributions on Rockin’ In Rhythm: “pianist Larry Fuller’s brilliant work throughout – especially the buoyant stride solo – nearly steals the record”.

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 performs as band leader. His latest, self-titled album dropped on September 16, 2014, and received consistently exceptional praise.  All About Jazz says: “Chops, class, and in-the-pocket ensemble playing are all on full display. There’s plenty to marvel at.”

Learn more about Fuller here.