School of Music

Born into a musical family, Larry has been playing the guitar since he was seven years old. At the age of fifteen he recorded an album with his father, guitarist Dave Koonse, entitled Dave and Larry Koonse; father and son jazz guitars. In 1984, Larry was the first recipient of a BM in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California.

Immediately after graduating from USC Larry toured extensively for six years as a member of the John Dankworth quartet, traveling all across the globe and backing up Cleo Laine. He is currently a member of Billy Child's landmark chamber sextet which released a CD in 2006 entitled Lyric featuring Brian Blade. The recording received a grammy nomination for instrumental jazz album of the year. He has also toured and recorded with Mel Torme, Bob Brookmeyer, Billy Childs, John Patitucci, David Friesen, Karrin Allyson, Luciana Souza, Warne Marsh and was a featured performer with the Percy Faith Orchestra on a tour of Japan. At the invitation of Nelson Mandela and UNICEF, Larry traveled to South Africa to perform for the first annual SAMIX festival with the Steve Houghton quintet. He also performed with Gary Willis in Sao Paulo for a government sponsored concert at SESC Ipiranga. In his travels, he has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Academy of Music, Disney Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and has been a featured soloist with the L.A. Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra and many other orchestras throughout the world. Larry has recorded with Cleo Laine, Al Hirt, Jimmy Rowles, Lee Konitz, Larry Goldings, Alan Broadbent, Ray Brown, Bill Perkins, Toots Thielemanns, Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, David Friesen, Bob Sheppard, Charlie Haden and many other jazz artists. His solo guitar work was featured throughout Crazy, a feature film chronicling the life of the great guitarist Hank Garland.

The founder of the Player's School, the renown bassist Jeff Berlin, contacted Larry in 1995 to write a guitar curriculum which is currently used for their program. He was co-leader of the L.A. Jazz Quartet which released their fourth CD, Conversation Piece (NAXOS Records) in September, 2000. The quartet's first three CDs, Astarte (GOWI), Look To The East (NAXOS), and Family Song (NTR), have received critical acclaim for their originality and musical depth. Larry's most recent recording, What's in the Box, a CD featuring the music of the great guitarist/composer Jimmy Wyble is now available through Jazz Compass (www.jazzcompass.com). He has three other releases on the Jazz Compass label: Americana (a recording featuring Scott Colley on the bass), Dialogues of the Heart (featuring his father Dave Koonse in a guitar duo setting) and Storybook featuring the bassist Darek Oles. Larry has been a faculty member at California Institute of the Arts since 1990.

Notable Recordings

• Son of Jazz Guitar, Dave and Larry Koonse, Dobre Records DR 1048 (1977)
• Father and Son Jazz Guitars, Dave and Larry Koonse, Dobre Records DR 1035 (1977)
• The Caretaker, Alan Barnes, Riza Records RRL 85Ð102 (1985)
• Echoes of Harlem Rochester Philharmonic, Pro Jazz CDJ 679 (1988)
• Woman to Woman, Cleo Laine, RCA Victor 7999Ð2ÐRC (1988)
• Al Hirt with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Al Hirt, Pro Jazz CDJ 687 (1987)
• Jimmy Rowles Plus 2 Plus 3 Plus 4, Jimmy Rowles, JVC Records VDJ 1189 (1989)
• Jazz Cleo Laine and Toots Thielemanns, RCA Victor 60548Ð2ÐRC (1989)
• Tell Tale Signs, Bob Sheppard, Windham Hill Jazz WDÐ0129 (1989)
• Duke Ellington's Greatest Hits Compilation, Intersound 8010 (1989)
• Three Play Co-leader, Nine Winds Records NWCD 0133 (1990)
• Give and Gather, Clay Jenkins, Alfa Records ALCAÐ241 (1991)
• Secret Circle, Steve Crum, AMELÐ8888 (1992)
• Nothing Without You, Mel Torme and Cleo Laine, Concord Jazz CCDÐ4515 (1992)
• Two Brothers, Bill Perkins and Herbie Harper, V.S.O.P. Records V.S.O.P. #80 (1992)
• Steve Houghton, Steve Houghton, Blue Mesa Records R2 79195 (1994)
• Astarte L.A. Jazz Quartet, (Co-leader) GOWI Records COGÐ13 (1994)
• Stories To Tell, Julie Kelly, Chase Music Group CMD 8039 (1994)
• Hearts, John O'Banion, Sweet Basil/ Apollon APCZ 8027 (1995)
• Misfits of Silence, Jeff Babko, NCM West Records NCM CD 101 (1996)
• Terry Trotter Plays Michel Legrand, Terry Trotter, Varese Sarabande Records VSDÐ5735 (1996)
• Breezin, Compilation, Intersound 4764 (1996)
• A Close Encounter of the Very Best Kind, Phil Ranelin, Lifeforce Records LFR1007 (1996)
• Fire Martians, Bob & Dick Weller, YUSM Records (1997)
• Jazz at Midnight, Compilation, RCA 68726 (1997)
• Vibes Alive, Dirk Richter, Sindrome Records 8926 (1997)
• Changes, Phil Maturano, Ghost888 (1998)
• Windsong, Steve Houghton, SPHERC Records (1998)
• Look to the East, L.A. Jazz Quartet (Co-leader and producer), NAXOS JAZZ 86009 2E(1998)
• Family Song, L.A. Jazz Quartet (Co-leader and producer), Not Two Records MW 705Ð2 (1998)
• Journey Together, David Sills, NAXOS JAZZ 86023 2 (1998)
• Concord Jazz Heritage Series, Mel Torme, Concord Jazz 4811 (1998)
• What's in Store, Jessie Wills, Canary Records (1999)
• Conversation Piece, L.A. Jazz Quartet (Co-leader and producer), NAXOS JAZZ 86045 2 (1999)
• Mel Torme, Best of the Concord Years Mel Torme, Concord Jazz 4871 (1999)
• The Music of Eric Von Essen Volume 1, Various Artists, Cryptogramophone CG103 (2000)
• Remembering Bill Evans, Karen Gallinger, Sea Breeze Records SB3041 (2000)
• The Legacy Lives On, Ray Brown Trio, Mack Avenue Records MAC1003 (2000)
• An Unsung Cat, The Life and Music of Warne Marsh, Warne Marsh, Storyville Records STCD8314 (2000)
• The Music of Eric Von Essen Volume 2, Various Artists, Cryptogramophone CG103 (2001)
• Stay Tuned, Gerard Hagen Trio plus guests, Sea Breeze Records SB 3049 (2001)
• Secret Tea, Chris Wabich Trio, Sea Breeze Records SB3048 (2001)
• Be Cool Be Kind, Carla Helmbrecht, Heart Music 06Ð0020Ð60024Ð2 (2001)
• Enchantment, Marcie Castro, Brazam Records BR 032 (2001)
• Three Wishes, Miki Howard, Peak Records 8502 (2001)
• Into the Light,Julie Kelly, Chase Music 8061 (2001)
• Faces, Jessie Wills, Canary Records (2001)
• Americana, Larry Koonse, Jazz Compass JC1001 (2001)
• Azure Eyes, Clay Jenkins, Jazz Compass JC1003 (2001)
• Corduroy Road, Tom Warrington Trio featuring Joe La Barbera, Jazz Compass JC1002 (2001)
• Bigs, David Sills, NAXOS JAZZ 860702 (2001)
• Silos, Beth Fitchet Wood, Maywood Records MWR011 (2001)
• The Andy Martin Quartet with Dave Pell, Andy Martin, Woofy Productions WPCD113 (2002)
• Jazz Yule Love, Terry Gibbs Quartet, Mack Avenue Records MAC1007 (2002)
• In The Now, Bob Sheppard, Sirocco Jazz SLJ 1018 (2002)
• The Legacy Lives On II, Terry Gibbs, Mack Avenue Records MAC1005 (2002)
• Christmas Paradise, Tom Liston, Steel Tropics Records (2002)
• The Music of Eric Von Essen Volume 3, Various Artists, Cryptogramophone CG115 (2002)
• In Love Again, Lulee Fisher, Red Road Records RRR001 (2002)
• Midnight Brew, George Kahn, Playing Records (2002)
• Daisy, Yoonchan Kwak, Blue Shrimp Records DK0377 (2003)
• Appassionato, Frank Marocco, Marocco Records 2003 1 (2003)
• The Night was Blue, Kurt Reichenbach, NBB9112 2 (2003)
• Stay Out of the Sun, Bob Brookmeyer, Challenge Records CHR 70110 (2003)
• Whatever Bubbles Up, Bob Florence Limited Edition, Summit Records DCD 360 (2003)
• Wide Range, Phil Norman Tentet, Concord Records CCD 2197 2 (2003)
• Dialogues of the Heart, Dave and Larry Koonse, Jazz Compass JC1005 (2003)
• Blue Scarlett, Russ Reinberg, Westlake Records CDJ 001 (2003)
• Azalea, L.M. Pagano, Bop City Records DHS1564 (2003)
• On the Same Page, Stefanie Powers featuring Page Cavanaugh, Jambo Records 100 (2003)
• As Time Goes By: The Great American Songbook, Vol. 2, Rod Stewart, J Records 55710 (2003)
• BeBop Bahama, Tom Liston/Chris Wabash, Sea Breeze Records SB 3064 (2003)
• Sunday Afternoons at the Lighthouse Cafe, The Jack Nimitz Quintet, Woofy Productions WPCD132 (2004)
• Like a Dream, Darek Oles featuring Brad Mehldau, Cryptogramophone CG119 (2004)
• Good Stuff, Dave Amelee, DLA Music DLA 001 (2004)
• Final Interplay, Warne Marsh/Larry Koonse Duo (2004)
• Snowfall, Jazz Compass featuring Bill Cunliffe, Jazz Compass JC1009 (2004)
• Tomo, The Music of Reed Kotler featuring Bob Sheppard, Torii Records (2004)
• Drop Me off in Harlem, Paul Gormley quartet featuring Sam Most, Talking Dog Music (2004)
• Eastern View, David Sills, Origin Records 82437(2004)
• Back Nine, Tom Warrington Trio featuring Joe La Barbera, Jazz Compass JC1010 (2004)
• Hummin' to Myself, Linda Ronstadt featuring Alan Broadbent, Verve Records (2004)
• Stardust: The Great American Songbook, Vol. 3, Rod Stewart, J Records 55820 (2004)
• Land of the Sun, Charlie Haden with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Verve Records B000288702 (2004)
• 2 for the Road, Deborah Schulman with Terry Trotter, D.S. Records DS6583 (2005)
• The LA-NZ Jazz Connection, Rodger Fox and Brian Smith, T-Bone Records TB 15 (2005)
• Let Me Off Uptown, Cheryl Bentyne, Telarc Jazz CD-83606 (2005)
• Love Finds You, Bruce Brown (2005)
• Rock Swings, Paul Anka, Verve Records (2005)
• And So Is Love, Rita Coolidge produced by Jimmy Haslip,Concord Records,CCD-2271-2 (2005)
• Lyric, Billy Childs Chamber Ensemble featuring Brian Blade, Lunacy Music LM-1001(2005)
• Fantazm, John La Barbera Big Band, Jazz Compass JC 1011 (2005)
• Jazz Play, Carol Robbins featuring Bob Sheppard, Jazzcats JCTS-105 (2005)
• Raindance, Adam Czerwinski & Darek Oles featuring Larry Goldings, ACR 001 (2005)
• Once I Loved, Mark Fontana, Astrolux Records (2005)
• Jazz Palette, Gene Burkert featuring Christian Jacob, Sea Breeze Records SB-3078 (2006)
• A Scot In L.A., Roger Cairn featuring Darek Oles and Joe La Barbera 5858 (2006)
• Connection, David Friesen (2 CD set featuring a trio with Joe La Barbera and a duo with David Friesen) ITM Archives ITM 920001 (2006)
• Down the Line, David Sills featuring Alan Broabent and Gary Foster, Origin Records 82458 (2006)
• What Love is, Erin Boheme, Concord Records CCD-2286-2 (2006)
• Three, Brian Swartz Trio featuring Darek Oles Summit Records DCD 455 (2006)
• Introducing Robin McKelle, Robin McKelle Cheap Lullaby Records CLR - 010(2006)
• Takin' Notes, Jeff Alkire quartet, Jeffypop Records (2006)
• These Days, Ellen Johnson featuring Sheila Jordan, Vocal Visions VV 2700 (2006)
• I'll Always Know, Music of Reed Kotler featuring Bob Sheppard, Torii Records (2006)
• I'm Just a Lucky So and So, Paul Gormley quartet featuring Sam Most, Talking Dog Music TDM - 1003 (2006)
• On the Fly, Liam Sillery, OA2Records Origin 22030 (2006)
• Im Just the Guy, Rick Blessing, Fast Friends Music RB 00010-06 (2006)
• Standard Scotch, Scotch Ellis Loring, Promised Land Records (2006)
• Why Can't You Behave?, Kristin Korb, Double K Music (2006)
• Can't Stop Now, Geoff Aymar, Rigamarole Records RR-0104 (2006)
• Storybook, Larry Koonse and Darek Oles, Jazz Compass JC 1013 (2006)
• Picking up the Pieces, Aga Zaryan, Polskie Radio PRCD 381 (2006)
• Everyone's Hero, Chris Botti featuring Lyle Lovett, Sony Records (2006)
• John Pisano's Guitar Night, Duo with Peter Bernstein, Mel Bay Records 10412CD(2)(2007)
• Diane Hubka Goes to the Movies, Diane Hubka, 18th & Vine Records 18V 1054 (2007)
• Cancaos Do Amor, Bobby Shew plays the music of Reed Kotler, Torii Records (2007)
• Blues State, Clay Jenkins featuring Harold Danko, Jazz Compass JC 1015 (2007)
• One Kiss is not Enough, Dennise Neill featuring Ron Stout, DNP Records (2007)
• Eternal Licks and Grooves, Bob Florence Limited Edition, MAMA Records MAA 1030 (2007)
• Call Me Irresponsible, Michael Buble, Reprise Records (2007)
• Jade Vision, Chris Wabich with Darek Oles, Sea Breeze Records SBJ-3082 (2007)
• You and the Night and the Music, Jackie Ryan, OpenArt Records OA07292 (2007)
• Dreamsville, John Vance, Erawan Records ER-2007-1 (2007)
• Expectation, Darek Oles featuring Janis Siegel andPeter Erskine, Kind of Blue Records 10021 (2007)
• Green, David Sills, Origin Records 82480 (2007)
• Parallel Lives, Rob Lockhart, Origin Records Origin 82485 (2007)
• "Classic Songs .... My Way", Paul Anka, Decca Records #000870702 (2007)
• "A Lovely Way to Spend the Evening", Calabria Foti, MoCo Records 23-002 (2007)
• My HeartÕs in the Wind, Deborah Shulman with Terry Trotter (2007)
• Arioso, Korean cellist Yun Jung Huh, Stomp Classic Records (2007)
• Back to the Start, Danny House quartet (2007)
• Crazy, Solo and ensemble guitar features from the soundtrack of the film dramatizing the life of guitar great Hank Garland, Favored Nations FN2600-2 (2007)
• What We Have, Louis Durra 63447977601 (2007)
• East and West, Mike Fahn Quintets (837101427920) (2007)
• Ryan Dragon Quintet, Ryan Dragon Dragonbonemusic (837101291842) (2007)
• Of Two Minds, Leslie Lewis, Surf Cove Jazz SCJ100 (2008)
• What's in the Box, Larry Koonse plays the music of Jimmy Wyble, Jazz Compass JC1016 (2008)
• The Odd Couple, Ron Kalina and Jim Self, Basset Hound Records BHR 110-2 (2008)
• Behind the Velvet Curtain, Rebecca Pidgeon, Great American Music Company CD-GA-162 (2008)
• If Music Be The Food Of Love, Sharmila Guha (2008)
• Let's..., Roger Cairns, AHP Productions (2008)
• Totally Live at Catalina Jazz Club, The Phil Norman Tentet, Mama Records MAA1034 2CD Set (2008)
• How Do I Get To Mars?, Carlo Marcotulli with Dick Halligan, ACT Records ACT 9720-2 (2008)
• Modern Antique, Robin McKelle, Cheap Lullaby Records (2008)
• The Mountain, Tom Warrington Trio featuring Bob Sheppard, Jazz Compass JC1017(2009)
• Tide, Luciana Souza featuring Vinnie Colliuta and Larry Goldings, Verve Records (2009)