Larry Carlton

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Larry Carlton : biography

March 2, 1948 –

At the beginning of 2007 Carlton released two CDs. A live recording together with blues guitarist Robben Ford, Live in Tokyo, and The Jazz King album. The Jazz King record is the result of a composition Carlton wrote for H. M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. The Jazz King project was initiated to celebrate the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol’s accession to the throne as well as his 80th birthday in 2007. Carlton was commissioned to write this composition by the Royal Project Foundation and Rotary Club of Bangkok. These compositions were released on CD only in Thailand, the net proceeds of the CD will be used to support the indigenous hill-tribe children of Thailand. Carlton’s compositions for this Jazz King project resulted in a concert held on January 28, 2007 at BEC-Tero Hall, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Bangkok.

In July, August and September 2009, Carlton joined Steely Dan as guest guitarist for six dates in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Carlton reprised this role with another special guest guitarist appearance in Steely Dan’s September 23, 2011 concert at New York’s Beacon Theatre.

In June 2010 Carlton released Take Your Pick, an album made with Tak Matsumoto. This album won the 2011 Grammy for "Best Pop Instrumental Album". Carlton’s 4th Grammy win.

In February 2011 Carlton released Plays The Sound Of Philadelphia.

Gear and equipment

Carlton is best known for his 1968 Gibson ES-335 but has also played a 1951 Fender Telecaster. He has worked alongside Gibson to produce a replica under the name the "Gibson Custom Larry Carlton ES-335." He has also worked with Valley Arts guitars to produce two signature models in the mid-eighties to early-nineties. He has used a Fender Vibrolux amplifier, but his standard setup includes a Dumble.

Personal life

Carlton has been married to contemporary Christian music artist Michele Pillar since 1987. He is also the father of bass player Travis Carlton and the uncle of Vanessa Carlton.

Discography

Albums

  • With A Little Help From My Friends 1968 Uni
  • Singing / Playing 1973 Blue Thumb
  • Larry Carlton 1978 Warner Bros. Records
  • Mr. 335 Live in Japan 1979 Warner Bros. Records (Japan)
  • Strikes Twice 1980 Warner Bros. Records
  • Sleepwalk 1981 Warner Bros. Records
  • Eight Times Up 1983 Warner Bros. Records
  • Friends 1983 MCA
  • Last Nite 1986 MCA
  • Alone / But Never Alone 1986 MCA
  • Discovery 1987 MCA
  • On Solid Ground 1989 MCA
  • Christmas at My House 1989 MCA
  • Collection 1990 GRP
  • Kid Gloves 1992 GRP
  • Renegade Gentleman 1993 GRP
  • Larry & Lee 1995 GRP
  • The Gift 1996 GRP
  • Collection Vol.2 1997 GRP
  • Fingerprints 2000 Warner Bros. Records
  • No Substitutions: Live in Osaka 2001 Favored Nations
  • Deep Into It 2001 Warner Bros. Records
  • Sapphire Blue 2003 Arista Bluebird
  • The Very Best of Larry Carlton 2005 GRP
  • Fire Wire 2006 Arista Bluebird
  • Larry Carlton with Robben Ford Live in Tokyo 2007 335 Records
  • Take Your Pick (with Tak Matsumoto) 2010 335 (US), Vermillion (JP)
  • Larry Carlton Plays The Sound Of Philadelphia 2011 335 Records

Film soundtracks

  • Against All Odds 1984 Virgin Records (with Michel Colombier)
  • Magnum, p.i. television theme (with Mike Post)
  • Hill Street Blues television soundtrack (with Mike Post)

Videos

  • Larry Carlton Live 1987
  • Star Licks Larry Carlton 1989
  • Star Licks Larry Carlton Vol.2 1992
  • Larry Carlton Live At Montreal International Jazz Festival 1997

DVDs

  • Ohne Filter 2002 inakustik
  • Live at Montreal JazzFestival 2002 Eagle
  • Carlton Lukather Band – The Paris Concert 2005 inakustik
  • Carlton, Ford + Autour Du Blues – The Paris Concert 2008 inakustik
  • Carlton & The Sapphire Blues Band – The Paris Concert 2008 inakustik
  • Carlton Trio – The Paris Concert 2009 inakustik
  • Appeared in Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, 2004

As sideman

With Lalo Schifrin

  • Enter the Dragon (soundtrack) (Warner Bros., 1973)