Double Bass Interview with Larry Gray

[pedro]

There is a nice interview with Larry linked below. I'm sure I've mentioned it but my son Alex studied with Larry over the course of a couple of years just before college. Long drives to the south side of Chicago (3.5+ hours each way) but well worth it.

Simply put I'm hard pressed to think of a more talented and versatile musician. Keep in mind that Larry actually didn’t even pick up the bass ‘till he was in his twenties and he’s a first call guy in a city the size of Chicago. Cello, guitar, piano and bass all at an extremely high level of proficiency. I once saw Larry walking out of his house for gig carrying a guitar, cello, double bass and electric bass. But really how many guys can you name that can play jazz at that level and sub w/ the CSO?

Don’t ever miss a chance to see this guy play. And if you’re in the Chicago area and truly want to improve your skills try to get into his studio. This guy is truly a gifted teacher.


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[Eric Hochberg]

+1

 

[pedro]

Glad you enjoyed the interview.

 

[Marc Piane]

Larry is the real deal. +1.

 

[christ andronis]

+1...great guy, great player...

 

[pedro]

I see both of you guys are in Chicago and have no doubt had plenty of opportunity to see Larry live. Are either of you students of his?

 

[jonster]

Yes, Larry's a good guy. Check out my interview with him, too:

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[pedro]

Yes, Larry's a good guy. Check out my interview with him, too:

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Cool thanks for the link.

 

[Marc Piane]

I never studied with him (I actually studied with Eric Hochberg) but have had to opportunity to here him play plenty. He's a great player and a super nice guy.

 

[pedro]

Thanks Fingers, I was curious.

 

[christ andronis]

pedro...i studied with him briefly, and got a whole lot of good feedback from the little time i spent. I'm fortunate to live about a half mile from his house and thought I'd be going there more often, but unfortunately s**t happens and it didn't work out. Am planning on restarting some time in the near future. He is a most accommodating guy.

 

[pedro]

pedro...i studied with him briefly, and got a whole lot of good feedback from the little time i spent. I'm fortunate to live about a half mile from his house and thought I'd be going there more often, but unfortunately s**t happens and it didn't work out. Am planning on restarting some time in the near future. He is a most accommodating guy.

Yea as I said, I saw huge improvements in my son at each lesson. The man truly loves to teach.

 

[Mike Arnopol]

I met Larry when I was about 24. I came into a club and introduced myself. He said "check this out" and started playing "the flight of the bumblebee" arco. I had never met the guy and thought that this was maybe a bit conceited. But he's not at all that way. He's just a virtuoso and music geek. And a great and giving guy. I studied with him on and off for a couple of years. Anytime I had a technical hurdle that I was going through he'd show my the best way to do it. He cleaned up my thumb position technique. And many other things. I didn't take tons of lessons (maybe a dozen) but they are a foundation for my technique. He really is a mentor. As is Kelly Sill, another great Chicago bassist. Combining technique from Larry and a lot of great conceptual advice from Kelly has been the foundation of my jazz playing. I actually used to pay Kelly for a lesson to have him come to gigs of mine and give me a critique of my playing.

 

[pedro]

I met Larry when I was about 24. I came into a club and introduced myself. He said "check this out" and started playing "the flight of the bumblebee" arco. I had never met the guy and thought that this was maybe a bit conceited. But he's not at all that way. He's just a virtuoso and music geek. And a great and giving guy. I studied with him on and off for a couple of years. Anytime I had a technical hurdle that I was going through he'd show my the best way to do it. He cleaned up my thumb position technique. And many other things. I didn't take tons of lessons (maybe a dozen) but they are a foundation for my technique. He really is a mentor. As is Kelly Sill, another great Chicago bassist. Combining technique from Larry and a lot of great conceptual advice from Kelly has been the foundation of my jazz playing. I actually used to pay Kelly for a lesson to have him come to gigs of mine and give me a critique of my playing.

Yes I've met kelly as well when my son was looking at DePaul. Of course it would've been extremely tempting at DePaul to study with Rob Kassinger who is not only an incredible classical bassist but a fine jazz player too.