Neil Larsen: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
added info about touring with Loggins.
 
(35 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American jazz keyboardist}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Neil Larsen
| image =
| name = Neil Larsen
| alt =
| image =
| caption =
| alt =
| image_size =
| caption =
| image_size =
| background = solo_singer <!-- mandatory format: please do not change or remove -->
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_place = [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], U.S.
| alias =
| birth_date =
| alias =
| death_date =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|8|7}}
| origin =
| death_date =
| instrument = piano, [[Hammond organ]]
| origin = [[Sarasota, Florida]], U.S.
| genre = [[Jazz]], [[Rock music|rock]]
| instrument = {{hlist|Piano|[[Hammond organ]]}}
| occupation = keyboardist, musical arranger, composer
| genre = {{hlist|[[Jazz]]|[[Rock music|rock]]}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Keyboardist|musical arranger|composer}}
| years_active =
| years_active = 1972–present
| label = [[A&M Records|A&M]], [[Horizon Records|Horizon]], [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]], Portico
| label = {{hlist|[[A&M Records|A&M]]|[[Horizon Records|Horizon]]|[[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]|Portico}}
| associated_acts = [[Buzz Feiten]], [[Robben Ford]], [[Leonard Cohen]]
| website = {{URL|www.neillarsen.net}}
| website = {{URL|neillarsen.net}}
| past_member_of = [[Soul Survivors (band)|Soul Survivors]]
| notable_instruments =
}}
}}

'''Neil Larsen''' (born August 7, 1948) is an American [[jazz]] keyboardist, musical arranger and composer. He was born in [[Cleveland, Ohio]] and grew up in [[Sarasota, Florida]] before relocating to New York and then, in 1977, Los Angeles.<ref name="JazzLynx">{{cite web|url=http://www.jazzlynx.net/10notes/ed580.html#Larsen |title=This Time Tomorrow – Neil Larsen|website=Jazz Lynx|date=September 5, 2010|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref>
'''Neil Larsen''' (born August 7, 1948) is an American [[jazz]] keyboardist, musical arranger and composer. He was born in [[Cleveland, Ohio]] and grew up in [[Sarasota, Florida]] before relocating to New York and then, in 1977, Los Angeles.<ref name="JazzLynx">{{cite web|url=http://www.jazzlynx.net/10notes/ed580.html#Larsen |title=This Time Tomorrow – Neil Larsen|website=Jazz Lynx|date=September 5, 2010|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref>


Line 29: Line 28:


==Career==
==Career==
While in New York in the early 1970s, Larsen wrote television [[jingle]]s and played on sessions for various recording artists.<ref name="Argyrakis/IE">{{cite web|first=Andy|last=Argyrakis |url=http://illinoisentertainer.com/2009/09/studiophile-october-2009/ |title=Studiophile: Neil Larsen|website=Illinois Entertainer|date=September 30, 2009|accessdate=October 10, 2017}}</ref> He formed the band Full Moon with jazz guitarist [[Buzz Feiten]], and their self-titled debut album was released in 1972. Larson was briefly a member of the [[Soul Survivors (band)|Soul Survivors]]. He contributed as keyboardist, writer and arranger on their 1974 self-titled album on the [[TSOP Records|TSOP]] label. He began touring as a member of [[Gregg Allman]]'s band in 1975.<ref name="Paste" />
While in New York in the early 1970s, Larsen wrote television [[jingle]]s and played on sessions for various recording artists.<ref name="Argyrakis/IE">{{cite web|first=Andy|last=Argyrakis |url=http://illinoisentertainer.com/2009/09/studiophile-october-2009/ |title=Studiophile: Neil Larsen|website=Illinois Entertainer|date=September 30, 2009|accessdate=October 10, 2017}}</ref> He formed the band Full Moon with jazz guitarist [[Buzz Feiten]], and their self-titled debut album was released in 1972. Larsen was briefly a member of the [[Soul Survivors (band)|Soul Survivors]]. He contributed as keyboardist, writer and arranger on their 1974 self-titled album on the [[TSOP Records|TSOP]] label. He began touring as a member of [[Gregg Allman]]'s band in 1975.<ref name="Paste" />


In 1977, Larsen relocated to Los Angeles,<ref name="JazzLynx" /> where he played on sessions by producers such as [[Tommy LiPuma]], [[Russ Titelman]] and [[Herb Alpert]].<ref name="Argyrakis/IE" /> These projects led to Larsen signing with Alpert's record company, [[A&M Records]],<ref name="JazzLynx" /> for which he recorded on the [[Horizon Records|Horizon]] label.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Los Angeles staff|url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=DyQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT5&dq=Neil+Larsen&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP4f6I05HQAhWMjJQKHRscDnY4HhDoAQgZMAA#v=onepage&q=Neil%20Larsen&f=false |title=A&M Ponders Fate Of Defunct Horizon Acts|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=September 1, 1979|p=6|accessdate=October 10, 2017}}</ref> Larsen's first album, ''Jungle Fever'', was released in September 1978.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Los Angeles staff|url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=6iMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT9&dq=Neil+Larsen&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP4f6I05HQAhWMjJQKHRscDnY4HhDoAQg9MAk#v=onepage&q=Neil%20Larsen&f=true |title=Horizon Issues 3|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=September 30, 1978|p=10|accessdate=October 10, 2017}}</ref> Larsen toured the US in support of the release with a band that included Feiten.<ref name="Paste">{{cite web|author=Paste staff|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/08/larsen-feiten-band-windsong.html |title=Larsen/Feiten Band – Windsong|magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|accessdate=October 10, 2017}}</ref>
In 1977, Larsen relocated to Los Angeles,<ref name="JazzLynx" /> where he played on sessions by producers such as [[Tommy LiPuma]], [[Russ Titelman]] and [[Herb Alpert]].<ref name="Argyrakis/IE" /> These projects led to Larsen signing with Alpert's record company, [[A&M Records]],<ref name="JazzLynx" /> for which he recorded on the [[Horizon Records|Horizon]] label.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Los Angeles staff|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DyQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Neil+Larsen&pg=PT5 |title=A&M Ponders Fate Of Defunct Horizon Acts|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=September 1, 1979|page=6|accessdate=October 10, 2017}}</ref> Larsen's debut studio album, ''Jungle Fever'', was released in September 1978.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Los Angeles staff|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6iMEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Neil+Larsen&pg=PT9 |title=Horizon Issues 3|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=September 30, 1978|page=10|accessdate=October 10, 2017}}</ref> Larsen toured the US in support of the release with a band that included Feiten.<ref name="Paste">{{cite web|author=Paste staff|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/08/larsen-feiten-band-windsong.html |title=Larsen/Feiten Band – Windsong|magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|accessdate=October 10, 2017}}</ref>


The title track from his second album, ''High Gear'', was nominated for the 1980 [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/grammy-awards-1980-228.html |title=Grammy Awards 1980|publisher=awardsandshows.com|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref> The album peaked at number 153 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' Top LPs & Tape]] chart in the US<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=6CMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT100&dq=Neil+Larsen&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiYuJyQ0pHQAhUHHZQKHQ8GCuY4FBDoAQg9MAk#v=onepage&q=Neil%20Larsen&f=true |title=Top LPs & Tape|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=September 8, 1979|p=68|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref> and included musical contributions from Feiten, [[Michael Brecker]], [[Steve Gadd]] and [[Paulinho da Costa]].<ref name="JazzLynx" />
The title track from his second studio album, ''High Gear'', was nominated for the 1980 [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/grammy-awards-1980-228.html |title=Grammy Awards 1980|publisher=awardsandshows.com|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref> The album peaked at number 153 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' Top LPs & Tape]] chart in the US<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6CMEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Neil+Larsen&pg=PT100 |title=Top LPs & Tape|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=September 8, 1979|page=68|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref> and included musical contributions from Feiten, [[Michael Brecker]], [[Steve Gadd]] and [[Paulinho da Costa]].<ref name="JazzLynx" />


Larsen collaborated further with Feiten in the jazz–rock fusion groups the Larsen Facts Band and the Larsen-Feiten Band. The latter released ''The Larsen-Feiten Band'' in 1980 on [[Warner Bros. Records]]. He has also recorded and toured with guitarist [[Robben Ford]],<ref name="JazzLynx" /> who contributed to Larsen's 2007 album ''Orbit''.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=John|last=Heidt|url=https://www.vintageguitar.com/3529/neil-larsen-orbit/ |title=Neil Larsen – Orbit|magazine=[[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]|date=December 2007|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref>
Larsen collaborated further with Feiten in the jazz–rock fusion group the Larsen-Feiten Band. A self-titled album ''The Larsen-Feiten Band'' was released in 1980 on [[Warner Bros. Records]]. He has also recorded and toured with guitarist [[Robben Ford]],<ref name="JazzLynx" /> who contributed to Larsen's 2007 album ''Orbit''.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=John|last=Heidt|url=https://www.vintageguitar.com/3529/neil-larsen-orbit/ |title=Neil Larsen – Orbit|magazine=[[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]|date=December 2007|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref>


From 1982 to 1985, he was a member of [[Kenny Loggins]]' touring band, playing keyboards and synthesizers.
⚫
His compositions have also been recorded by [[George Benson]] and [[Gregg Allman]], among others.<ref name="JazzLynx" /> Larsen took part in [[Miles Davis]]'s ''Rubberband'' sessions in 1985–86. His song "Carnival" was later adapted by Davis into the piece "Carnival Time".<ref>{{cite book|first=George|last=Cole|title=The Last Miles: The Music of Miles Davis, 1980–1991|publisher=University of Michigan Press|location=Ann Arbor, MC|year=2005|pp=210, 216|isbn=978-0-472032600}}</ref>

⚫
His compositions have also been recorded by [[George Benson]] and [[Gregg Allman]], among others.<ref name="JazzLynx" /> Larsen took part in [[Miles Davis]]'s ''[[Rubberband (Miles Davis album)|Rubberband]]'' sessions in 1985–86, which were later released in 2019. His song "Carnival" was later adapted by Davis into the piece "Carnival Time".<ref>{{cite book|first=George|last=Cole|title=The Last Miles: The Music of Miles Davis, 1980–1991|publisher=University of Michigan Press|location=Ann Arbor, MC|year=2005|pages=210, 216|isbn=978-0-472032600}}</ref>


Larsen has worked as a session musician for many rock artists, including [[Rickie Lee Jones]], [[George Harrison]], [[Kenny Loggins]] and [[Don McLean]].<ref name="JazzLynx" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/neil-larsen-p96638/credits |title=Neil Larsen: Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref> He was the pianist and musical arranger for the [[20th Century Fox Television]] show ''[[Boston Legal]]'',<ref name="JazzLynx" /> and musical director for jazz singer [[Al Jarreau]].<ref name="Paste" />
Larsen has worked as a session musician for many rock artists, including [[Rickie Lee Jones]], [[George Harrison]], [[Kenny Loggins]] and [[Don McLean]].<ref name="JazzLynx" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/neil-larsen-p96638/credits |title=Neil Larsen: Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref> He was the pianist and musical arranger for the [[20th Century Fox Television]] show ''[[Boston Legal]]'',<ref name="JazzLynx" /> and musical director for jazz singer [[Al Jarreau]].<ref name="Paste" />


From 2008, he toured and recorded as a member of [[Leonard Cohen]]'s band.<ref name="Tatangelo/Herald-Tribune">{{cite news|first=Wade|last=Tatangelo|url=http://ticket.heraldtribune.com/2013/03/11/leonard-cohen-returns-to-tampa-with-ex-sarasotan-neil-larsen/ |title=Leonard Cohen returns to Tampa with former Sarasotan|newspaper=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]|date=March 11, 2013|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref> Larsen performed on Cohen's ''[[Old Ideas]]'' album and on the singer's [[Old Ideas World Tour|final world tour]], in 2012–13. Cohen regularly introduced him on stage as "today's foremost exponent of the Hammond B-3 organ".<ref>{{cite web|first=Allan|last=Showalter|url=https://cohencentric.com/2015/07/09/neil-larsen-the-impeccable-nearly-invisible-leonard-cohen-world-tour-keyboardist-part-1/ |title=Neil Larsen – The Impeccable & Nearly Invisible Leonard Cohen World Tour Keyboardist, Part 1|publisher=Cohencentric|date=July 9, 2015|accessdate=October 10, 2017}}</ref>
From 2008, he toured and recorded as a member of [[Leonard Cohen]]'s band.<ref name="Tatangelo/Herald-Tribune">{{cite news|first=Wade|last=Tatangelo|url=http://ticket.heraldtribune.com/2013/03/11/leonard-cohen-returns-to-tampa-with-ex-sarasotan-neil-larsen/ |title=Leonard Cohen returns to Tampa with former Sarasotan|newspaper=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]|date=March 11, 2013|accessdate=October 9, 2017}}</ref> Larsen performed on Cohen's ''[[Old Ideas]]'' (2012) album and on the singer's [[Old Ideas World Tour|final world tour]], in 2012–13. Cohen regularly introduced him on stage as "today's foremost exponent of the Hammond B-3 organ".<ref>{{cite web|first=Allan|last=Showalter|url=https://cohencentric.com/2015/07/09/neil-larsen-the-impeccable-nearly-invisible-leonard-cohen-world-tour-keyboardist-part-1/ |title=Neil Larsen – The Impeccable & Nearly Invisible Leonard Cohen World Tour Keyboardist, Part 1|publisher=Cohencentric|date=July 9, 2015|accessdate=October 10, 2017}}</ref>


==Discography==
== Discography ==
* 1972: ''Full Moon'' (Douglas/Epic)
* Full Moon, ''Full Moon'' (Douglas/Epic, 1972)
* 1978: ''Jungle Fever'' (Horizon/A&M)
* ''Jungle Fever'' (Horizon/A&M, 1978)
* 1979: ''High Gear'' (Horizon/A&M)
* ''High Gear'' (Horizon/A&M, 1979)
* 1980: ''Larsen-Feiten Band'' (Warner Bros.)
* ''[[Larsen-Feiten Band]]'' (Warner Bros., 1982)
* 1982: ''Full Moon Featuring Neil Larsen & Buzz Feiten'' (Warner Bros.)
* ''Full Moon featuring Neil Larsen & Buzz Feiten'' (Warner Bros., 1982)
* 1987: ''Through Any Window'' (MCA)
* ''Through Any Window'' (MCA, 1987)
* 1989: ''Smooth Talk'' (MCA)
* ''Smooth Talk'' (MCA, 1989)
* 2002: ''Full Moon Live'' (Dreamsville [Japan]) note: vintage live recordings from 1980 and 1983.
* Full Moon, ''Full Moon Live'' (Dreamsville [Japan], 2002) – live rec. 1980–83
* 2007: ''Orbit'' (Straight Ahead)
* ''Orbit'' (Straight Ahead, 2007)
* 2015: ''Forlana'' (Portico Records)
* ''Forlana'' (Portico, 2015)


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000329836}}
* {{discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name|id=2257644}}


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}
Line 64: Line 70:
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Cleveland]]
[[Category:Musicians from Cleveland]]
[[Category:Musicians from Sarasota, Florida]]
[[Category:American jazz pianists]]
[[Category:American jazz pianists]]
[[Category:American male pianists]]
[[Category:American male jazz pianists]]
[[Category:A&M Records artists]]
[[Category:A&M Records artists]]
[[Category:20th-century American pianists]]
[[Category:20th-century American pianists]]
Line 72: Line 79:
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:Male jazz musicians]]

Latest revision as of 23:50, 27 April 2024

Neil Larsen
Born (1948-08-07) August 7, 1948 (age 75)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
OriginSarasota, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Keyboardist
  • musical arranger
  • composer
Instrument(s)
Years active1972–present
Labels
Formerly ofSoul Survivors
Websiteneillarsen.net

Neil Larsen (born August 7, 1948) is an American jazz keyboardist, musical arranger and composer. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Sarasota, Florida before relocating to New York and then, in 1977, Los Angeles.[1]

Early life[edit]

Larsen was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Sarasota, Florida.[1] He learned piano, drawing inspiration from jazz artists John Coltrane, Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Quartet, and from contemporary rock acts.[2]

In 1969, he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. During his time in Vietnam, he worked as a band director, co-ordinating musical entertainment for US armed forces personnel. After his discharge, he moved to New York to work as a musician.[2]

Career[edit]

While in New York in the early 1970s, Larsen wrote television jingles and played on sessions for various recording artists.[3] He formed the band Full Moon with jazz guitarist Buzz Feiten, and their self-titled debut album was released in 1972. Larsen was briefly a member of the Soul Survivors. He contributed as keyboardist, writer and arranger on their 1974 self-titled album on the TSOP label. He began touring as a member of Gregg Allman's band in 1975.[2]

In 1977, Larsen relocated to Los Angeles,[1] where he played on sessions by producers such as Tommy LiPuma, Russ Titelman and Herb Alpert.[3] These projects led to Larsen signing with Alpert's record company, A&M Records,[1] for which he recorded on the Horizon label.[4] Larsen's debut studio album, Jungle Fever, was released in September 1978.[5] Larsen toured the US in support of the release with a band that included Feiten.[2]

The title track from his second studio album, High Gear, was nominated for the 1980 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.[6] The album peaked at number 153 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart in the US[7] and included musical contributions from Feiten, Michael Brecker, Steve Gadd and Paulinho da Costa.[1]

Larsen collaborated further with Feiten in the jazz–rock fusion group the Larsen-Feiten Band. A self-titled album The Larsen-Feiten Band was released in 1980 on Warner Bros. Records. He has also recorded and toured with guitarist Robben Ford,[1] who contributed to Larsen's 2007 album Orbit.[8]

From 1982 to 1985, he was a member of Kenny Loggins' touring band, playing keyboards and synthesizers.

His compositions have also been recorded by George Benson and Gregg Allman, among others.[1] Larsen took part in Miles Davis's Rubberband sessions in 1985–86, which were later released in 2019. His song "Carnival" was later adapted by Davis into the piece "Carnival Time".[9]

Larsen has worked as a session musician for many rock artists, including Rickie Lee Jones, George Harrison, Kenny Loggins and Don McLean.[1][10] He was the pianist and musical arranger for the 20th Century Fox Television show Boston Legal,[1] and musical director for jazz singer Al Jarreau.[2]

From 2008, he toured and recorded as a member of Leonard Cohen's band.[11] Larsen performed on Cohen's Old Ideas (2012) album and on the singer's final world tour, in 2012–13. Cohen regularly introduced him on stage as "today's foremost exponent of the Hammond B-3 organ".[12]

Discography[edit]

  • Full Moon, Full Moon (Douglas/Epic, 1972)
  • Jungle Fever (Horizon/A&M, 1978)
  • High Gear (Horizon/A&M, 1979)
  • Larsen-Feiten Band (Warner Bros., 1982)
  • Full Moon featuring Neil Larsen & Buzz Feiten (Warner Bros., 1982)
  • Through Any Window (MCA, 1987)
  • Smooth Talk (MCA, 1989)
  • Full Moon, Full Moon Live (Dreamsville [Japan], 2002) – live rec. 1980–83
  • Orbit (Straight Ahead, 2007)
  • Forlana (Portico, 2015)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "This Time Tomorrow – Neil Larsen". Jazz Lynx. September 5, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e Paste staff. "Larsen/Feiten Band – Windsong". Paste. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Argyrakis, Andy (September 30, 2009). "Studiophile: Neil Larsen". Illinois Entertainer. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  4. ^ Los Angeles staff (September 1, 1979). "A&M Ponders Fate Of Defunct Horizon Acts". Billboard. p. 6. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  5. ^ Los Angeles staff (September 30, 1978). "Horizon Issues 3". Billboard. p. 10. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  6. ^ "Grammy Awards 1980". awardsandshows.com. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  7. ^ "Top LPs & Tape". Billboard. September 8, 1979. p. 68. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  8. ^ Heidt, John (December 2007). "Neil Larsen – Orbit". Vintage Guitar. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  9. ^ Cole, George (2005). The Last Miles: The Music of Miles Davis, 1980–1991. Ann Arbor, MC: University of Michigan Press. pp. 210, 216. ISBN 978-0-472032600.
  10. ^ "Neil Larsen: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  11. ^ Tatangelo, Wade (March 11, 2013). "Leonard Cohen returns to Tampa with former Sarasotan". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  12. ^ Showalter, Allan (July 9, 2015). "Neil Larsen – The Impeccable & Nearly Invisible Leonard Cohen World Tour Keyboardist, Part 1". Cohencentric. Retrieved October 10, 2017.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neil_Larsen&oldid=1221115393"