Larry Willis, who worked across genres since the 1960’s, passed in October 2019. But he left a great body of work in the full length release I Fall In Love Too Easily on Highnote. Ironically, his final recording takes place at Rudy Van Gelder’s recording studio where he began his career. The studio is named after the famous sound engineer credited with creating the legendary Blue Note sound. This Modern Jazz release features the former Blood Sweat & Tears and Hugh Masekela pianist delivering a gem and what may become a modern day classic. The eight songs on I Fall In Love Too Easily features Larry on piano, Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Joe Ford’s alto saxophone, Blake Meister on bass with Victor Lewis’ drums keeping the time. You can hear this masterful recording in the Sunday Jazz Suite (11am-4p) with Debb Moore or streaming daily on WCLK HD 2 via the WCLK app or right here at wclk.com.
David C. Linton is Jazz 91.9 WCLK Program Director and host of Serenade To The City, heard Monday-Friday at 10pm.