Dubai: When I got the opportunity to interview Larry Carlton, the Jazz guitar virtuoso, long-distance, and via the telephone, I was prepared to cope with a musician who would be a shade cautious and reserved.
I was wrong. Totally wrong. Carlton, was warm, kind and full of stories about his wonderful art.
Unlike most of today’s musicians, he even welcomed the internet as an effective medium to reach out to youngsters.
What can we expect from the Larry Carlton trio?
Well, I’ll be bringing the band I played with for the past seven years, which is Gene Coye (drums) and my son Travis (bass). We play as a unit, we have fun as a unit and the people will hear a lot of diversified guitar playing at the festival, which I hope is what the audience want.
You’ve had a long, memorable career, with so many highs. What keeps the passion going?
There’s not one answer to that as I’ve been a passionate guitar player for most of my life and the passion has never diminished, I love to make music and to play the guitar.
What does it feel like for an artist today, when you don’t really have control over most things?
With the internet being the tool people use to search out music that they like and perhaps then buy an album, or download it... it’s more important for artists like myself to go out and play live.
Unlike many musicians, you don’t really condemn the internet.
When I was younger, I was inspired by so many guitarists and artists and I wish I had more access to their knowledge. That’s why I use the internet to communicate. I think it can be useful, so I offer free guitar lessons on the internet with a hope to inspire some younger musicians. It’s my pleasure.
Who would you say had the biggest impact on you as a young musician?
There were many and that’s how my style came to being. When I was about 10 years old, I was listening to country music, so that meant I was hearing Joe Maphis play the guitar every Saturday on television. I was also listening to what they called doo wop, which was popular in the late 50s, and of course Chuck Berry and Elvis. Then when I was 14, I became interested in jazz and I started listening to Barney Kessel, Joe Pass, Johnny Smith and Wes Montgomery, and in my mid teens, I started listening to BB King. So all of those influences kind of helped make my style.
You’ve recorded with artists as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Steely Dan and Dolly Parton. What was the experience like?
As I mentioned before, my upbringing as a musician started in the late ’50s, so all of those styles are part of my history. I am very, very comfortable in most musical settings because I understand at least what the genre sounded like in the beginning. It was never really a challenge for me. My biggest job was to help the artist make the music they wanted to make.
Is there any particular artist that you would like to collaborate with in the future?
I would at some point like to do a project with John Scofield as I really like his playing. And I would even like to work with Derrick Trucks, who is a fantastic young player.
What’s it like to have your son in your band?
It’s so special and I’m so comfortable with him. I can be honest to say that Travis has the gift of music, not because he’s my son but because he knows how to make music. He knows things about music that you cannot teach — rhythm, feel, iteration — he understands all this and that’s what makes him a great musician.
Do you have any regrets as a musician?
I can be very honest with you when I say that my motivation, from the very beginning, was not to be a star, so I accomplished my dream when I became a professional musician. I’ve had a very, very unique and special career and I’m very thankful.
