description Larry Young Overview
Larry Young was an American jazz organist who moved the Hammond B-3 toward modal and avant-garde jazz, notably on his 1965 Blue Note album Unity.
help Larry Young FAQ
Why is Larry Young's Unity important for jazz organ?
Unity was recorded for Blue Note in 1965 and moved the Hammond B-3 beyond the soul-jazz vocabulary associated with Jimmy Smith. The album features Woody Shaw, Joe Henderson, and Elvin Jones in a modal post-bop setting.
How was Larry Young different from Jimmy Smith?
Jimmy Smith defined a bluesy, hard-swinging organ trio style, while Larry Young pushed the organ toward modal harmony and freer rhythmic movement. Unity is the clearest example of that difference.
Did Larry Young play with Tony Williams?
Yes. Young played in Tony Williams Lifetime, the late-1960s fusion group with John McLaughlin. That band connected Young's organ sound to early jazz-rock.
What Larry Young album should I hear before Unity?
Into Somethin', recorded for Blue Note in 1964, is a useful lead-in. It already shows Young moving away from standard soul-jazz organ formulas.
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