Introduction
Larry Koonse (born July 7, 1961) is an American modern jazz guitarist.
Over the years, he has performed and recorded with many leading musicians including Al Hirt, Bill Perkins, Linda Ronstadt, Cleo Laine, Warne Marsh, Bob Mintzer, David Friesen, Natalie Cole, Mel Torme, Ray Brown, Toots Thielemans, Jimmy Rowles, Charlie Haden, Larry Goldings, Luciana Souza, Rod Stewart, Bob Brookmeyer, Alan Broadbent, Lee Konitz, Seth MacFarlane, Peter Erskine, and Bob Sheppard.
Life and career
Larry Koonse was born on July 7, 1961, in San Diego, California. His father, Dave Koonse, was also a jazz guitarist who played with Barney Bigard, Harry James and John Tirabasso.
Growing up in a musical family, Larry got his start in music at a young age and began playing the guitar at age seven. In 1978, at age 16, he made his debut recording with his father titled Father And Son Jazz Guitars on Ray Lawrence's Dobre Records. The father-son couple was accompanied by bassist Pat "Putter" Smith and drummer John Tirabasso.
Koonse received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, in 1984.
After completing his education, Koonse joined the British jazz saxophonist John Dankworth's quartet and went on many national and international tours for the following six years. With Dankworth's band, he also backed up British jazz/pop singer Cleo Laine.
In 1986, Koonse as part of The Allan Barnes Band with Johnny Malone (electric piano, vocals), Fred Wesley (trombone), Larry Mizell (piano), Mark Johnson (keyboards, synthesizer), Ricky Lawson (drums), and Rodney Mizell (bass), recorded a jazz/funk album The Caretaker on Riza Records.
In April 1989, Koonse, John Gross, and Putter Smith recorded Three Play at Sage and Sound Studio in Hollywood, California. The album was released on Vinny Golia's Nine Winds Records.
In 1992, Koonse played on Two Brothers album for The Herbie Harper-Bill PerkinsQuintet alongside bassist John Leitham and drummer Larance Marable.
In the late 1990s, Koonse co-led the Los Angeles Jazz Quartet with Chuck Manning, Darek Oleszkiewicz, and Kevin Tullius. They made a few recordings—Look To The East (1997) and Conversation Piece (1999) on Naxos Jazz Records.
One of Koonse's compositions "Astarte" was recorded by Ben Adams Quartet in their 2000 jazz album The Figured Wheel.
In February 2001, Koonse played live at Capozzoli's restaurant in Las Vegas with The Andy Martin Quartet featuring Dave Pell. The album titled Live At Capozzoli's was released on Woofy Records. On the stage with Koonse were bassist Trey Henry and drummer Ray Brinker.
The same year, Koonse released his jazz album Americana (Jazz Compass Records) with bassist Scott Colley, drummer Kendall Kay, and pianist David Roitstein.
In 2003, Koonse played guitar on Sunday Afternoons At The Lighthouse Cafe Hermosa Beach with The Jack Nimitz Quintet featuring famed funk/soul/jazz singer Spanky Wilson.
He then worked with Bob Florence's band Limited Edition and made three recordings—Whatever Bubbles Up (2003), Eternal Licks & Grooves (2007), and Legendary (2009).
In 2005, Koonse was with pianist Billy Childs Ensemble and recorded Jazz-Chamber Music Vol. 1 with drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith.
In 2006, Koonse, as a member of David Sills Quartet with Joe Bagg and Tim Pleasant, backed trumpeter Liam Sillery on his album On The Fly (OA2 Records). Next, in a trio with Brian Swartz and Darek Oleszkiewicz, he recorded a jazz album titled Three (Summit Records).
As a member of The Clay Jenkins Quartet with Joe LaBarbera and Tom Warrington, he recorded Good Signs in 2011 (Jazz Compass Records).
Most recently, in October 2021, Koonse played guitar on "Uncommonly Ground " and "A Gathering Circle" for Dave Slonaker's jazz album Convergency (Origin Records).
Teaching
Koonse has been a faculty member at the California Institute of the Arts since 1990.
Discography
- Dave & Larry Koonse Quartet: Son of Jazz Guitars (1978)
- Secret Tea (Sea Breeze, 2001)
- Americana (2002) with Scott Colley
- David Friesen, Larry Koonse, Joe LaBarbera, Connection (ITM, 2005)
- Storybook (Jazz Compass, 2006) with Darek Oleszkiewicz
- What's in the Box – Larry Koonse Plays the Music of Jimmy Wyble (Jazz Compass, 2007)