Larry Young

Young Blues Larry Young

born organist Larry Young (October 7, 1940 -

March 30, 1978) pioneered a modal approach to the

Hammond B-3 (in contrast to Jimmy Smith's soul jazz

style). Young played with various R&B bands in the 1950s

before gaining jazz experience with Jimmy Forrest, Lou

Donaldson, Kenny Dorham, Hank Mobley and Tommy

Turrentine. Recording as a leader for Prestige from 1960,

Young made a number of soul jazz discs, Testifying, Young

Blues (presented here) and Groove Street. When Young

signed with Blue Note around 1964, his music began to

show the marked influence of John Coltrane. Young then

became a part of some of the earliest fusion groups: first

on Emergency! with the Tony Williams Lifetime (with Tony

Williams and John McLaughlin) and also on Miles Davis's

Bitches Brew. Young Blues was Young's second album

as a leader.