Lawrence "Larry" Cecil Adler was born on February 10, 1914, in Baltimore, Maryland, and would grow to become one of the most acclaimed and innovative harmonica players of the 20th century. With a career spanning several decades, Adler elevated the harmonica to the status of a virtuoso concert instrument. He began playing the harmonica as a child and by his early teens, he had already gained a reputation as a prodigy. Adler moved to New York and quickly became a part of the city's vibrant music scene, establishing himself as a unique talent in an era when the harmonica was largely considered a novelty or folk instrument.

Throughout his illustrious career, Adler collaborated with numerous orchestras and composers. He was known for his extraordinary ability to bring classical compositions to life on the harmonica and was a pioneer in crossing genre boundaries, often delving into popular music, jazz, and blues. Some of his standout performances included works by composers such as Darius Milhaud, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Malcolm Arnold, all of whom composed music specifically for him. Despite facing blacklisting during the McCarthy era due to his alleged leftist sympathies, Adler relocated to the United Kingdom where he continued to charm audiences with his recordings and performances. His albums like "The Golden Era of Larry Adler" volumes and "Harmonica Virtuoso" stand testament to his exceptional talent. Adler's influence on both the perception of the harmonica and the world of music remains profound. He passed away on August 6, 2001, leaving behind a rich legacy celebrated by the continual interest in and reissues of his recordings, such as "The Piano Roll Recordings" and "A Larry Adler Concert."

Genres

Harmonica Jazz

Latest Release

The Piano Roll Recordings

Larry Adler

Album - 17 Tracks - Released July 14, 2019