Larry Fuller Trio

Based in New York City, Larry Fuller is one of the premier mainstream jazz pianists living today. He is known by critics to "swing like a beast!” and "summarize the history of jazz". Fuller began his professional musical career at the extraordinary age 13 in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio and the Midwest region. In his early 20’s, Fuller’s undeniable talent earned him the position of musical director and pianist for GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Ernestine Anderson. He then joined renowned drummer Jeff Hamilton’s Trio before gaining the honor of manning the keys as the legendary Ray Brown Trio’s final pianist. Of Fuller, Ray Brown said: “He brings vitality! He swings hard and I like that”. Fuller also performed for several years with guitar-vocal great John Pizzarelli. Since 2013 - harnessing his unique bandstand collaborations with the giants - Larry Fuller has led his own Trio, performing prestigious venues and festivals in the US and internationally. His experience has propelled Fuller to present a musical program rarely experienced live today. He receives consistent praise for his emotive, swinging style, monster technique and versatility. The Vancouver Sun called Larry Fuller Trio’s appearance at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2016 one of the two-week festival’s “top 10 highlights that took our breath away and made us gaze in wonder”. In addition to the legends mentioned above, Fuller has appeared with Harry “Sweets” Edison, Stanley Turrentine, Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Herb Ellis, Marlena Shaw, Kevin Mahogany, John Clayton, John Heard, Bennie Golson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Emily Remler, Jimmy Witherspoon, Houston Person, Eddie Harris, Anita O’Day, Steve Allen, Regina Carter, Nicholas Payton, John Legend, and others. Larry Fuller has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world including Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops, Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center, Bern International Jazz Festival, TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Shanghai Center Theater, the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) Music Theater, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley Seattle, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Blue Note (Milan, Tokyo, NYC), A-Train (Berlin), Widderbar (Zurich), Tbilisi Event Hall, Porgy & Bess (Vienna), Duc des Lombards (Paris), and so many more. Lorin Cohen's work as a bassist and composer has resonated with audiences throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Originally from Chicago, Cohen has shared his talents with numerous jazz luminaries. Notably, he toured widely with jazz legend Monty Alexander from 2005-2013. His playing is prominently featured on Alexander’s recordings The Good Life: Monty Alexander Plays the Songs of Tony Bennett and Calypso Blues: The Songs of Nat King Cole. In 2015, Cohen released the album HOME on Origin Records, reflecting the light of Cohen’s childhood home, family, his and his love for the sounds of the Greater Antilles. This critically acclaimed album of all original compositions showcases a unique front line of vibraphone, steel pan and harmonica. It features a stellar international group of players: legendary NYC vibraphonist Joe Locke, the virtuoso steel pannist from the Virgin islands, Victor Provost, French harmonica player Yvonnick Prene, Chicago pianist Ryan Cohan, veteran NYC drummer Donald Edwards and Colombian percussionist Samuel Torres. Cohen’s musical experiences are not limited to the world of Jazz. Equally adept on the bass guitar, he has been a substitute bassist for the Chicago run of the Tony award winning musical Jersey Boys from 2008-10 and for the Broadway production of Motown: The Musical. His thumping bass guitar grooves, original songs and production drive the R&B/Jazz/Hip-hop band Vertikal. Born in Buffalo, NY, Carmen Intorre developed an early interest in music and began playing drums at age five. He has performed and recorded with numerous musicians such as George Benson, Larry Coryell, Wynton Marsalis, Monty Alexander, George Coleman, Eric Alexander, George Cables, Benny Golson, Richie Cole, Joe Locke, Lew Tabackin, Bobby Watson, Ira Sullivan, Bucky Pizzarelli, and many others. Carmen currently holds down the drum chair with legendary jazz guitarist Pat Martino, touring extensively throughout the world with the guitarist’s organ trio and quintet. A 2011 GRAMMY® nominee for his co-producer credit on the critically acclaimed album by Joey DeFrancesco entitled Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson, Intorre also had the pleasure of performing alongside DeFrancesco and Dr. Lonnie Smith on the PBS show Legends of Jazz, hosted by Ramsey Lewis. Receiving both his BM and MM degrees from Juilliard Intorre is always eager to uncover the latest information about music and drumming and to share that information with others. He states, “This is my job. I have to give back what I was given a chance to do.” He goes on to explain, “Music is an opportunity for me to give up my soul, while in the process connecting with the audiences’ souls as well. I want the musicians on the bandstand and the members of the audience to feel uplifted after a performance, to feel great about themselves through the experience that they encountered.” Perhaps one word best describes Carmen Intorre and his music: Joy. Reminiscent of Billy Higgins, Intorre brings a palpable swing and drive to virtually every bandstand he performs on.