Larry Corban: guitarist, composer, producer, educator

E Music

Musicscribe – 5 Stars

Blistering lines, energetic rhythms and melodically pleasing melodies – these are descriptivism’s I would use if asked to describe Larry Corban’s, The Circle Starts Here disc.  Corban employs two luminary players with his debut offering, not as hired guns but as regular bandmates.  Though this is Corban’s debut CD; he is far from a beginner – he has honed his skills in the true classroom of the bandstand trenches as a full time working musician, composer, and arranger.  The Circle Starts Here is a formative calling card destined to catapult Corban to the forefront of jazz guitar fans.

Sonic Musings Made from ‘60s Jazz Palettes

Freestyle phrasing with melodic sound structures is guitarist Larry Corban’s means of making music. His trio with bassist Harvie S and drummer Steve Williams make their debut with The Circle Starts Here covering a breadth of musical expressions inspired by the jam-based jazz made in the ’60s and ’70s from the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Elvin Jones, and Wes Montgomery.

The music is made for entertainment purposes bent on putting listeners in a cheerful mood such as the melodies that are popular in present day lounge rooms, dining halls, and night clubs. Opening with “Sideswiped” which shows influences of Cannonball Adderley and Lee Morgan, the track is chiseled from a dancing beat and utilizes the nimble movements of Corban’s fingers across the guitar strings to brighten the number to a posh Hawaiian patina. “Bossa Barb” is an introspective melody as Corban’s strings weave dreamy rumba style lulls into the piece, and travel into the cruising cadence of “Enjoy the Ride” supported by the bustling pulse of the drums and bass.

The jutting chord rotations quilt bucolic flickers along “Seventh Dimension,” and kindle a starlit ambience in “The Second She Leaves.” The bebop motifs of “On the Sly” showcase the trio’s agile dynamics and harmonic prowess, and seal “Blink of an Eye” in bluesy boosters with soft contours. The pliable inflections of the guitar strings bending and reclining along “3 Hours Late” and “Roll the Dice” canvass the tracks in placid ethers while the bass driven “Story Inside My Head” has a heavy feel. The slow tempo of “Dream Wheel” emphasizes each guitar note, and the bluesy shading of “Wolf’s Den” protracts an upbeat vibe. “Hmm” resounds with the blissfulness of a sweet lullaby, and “East of the Sun” has a casual stride that mollifies the senses.

Corban’s trio sounds thoroughly practiced and well versed for their debut recording. Each of the musicians exhibits their melodic sensibilities and harmonic tendencies to the highest grade. Inspired by the jazz bands of the ’60s and ’70s, The Circle Starts Here is made for a present day generation of jazz fans while remembering those musicians who propelled lounge room jazz onto the global radar.

Musicians: Larry Corban – guitar, Harvie S – bass, Steve Williams – drums

Tracklisting: Sideswiped, Boss Barb, Enjoy the Ride, Seventh Dimension, The Second She Leaves, On the Sly, Blink of an Eye, 3 Hours Late, Roll the Dice, Story Inside My Head, Dream Wheel, Wolf’s Den, Hmm, East of the Sun

Website: www.larrycorban.com

Radio Reviews:

Have been playing the new Corban CD and have been enjoying it very much, Excellent!

~Jim Clark, KUSD South Dakota Public Broadcasting

Larry Corban a bright new face on the New York jazz scene is a gifted guitarist and composer, he is excellent!

~Peter Kuller, Radio Adelaide Australia

Larry Corban, The Circle Starts Here (Nabroc).  Belgian-born, NYC-based guitarist Corban unites with bassist Harvie S and drummer Steve Williams in a set list of calm daring.  Corban experiments with various guitars and strings, all the while giving each trio-mate a starring role.  Almost all originals, Django would be proud of this re-energized Gypsy guitar.

~Ann Porotti, WTJU Charlottesville, VA.

Good Stuff!!

~Bill Moody, KSVY Sonoma, CA.

It’s a beautiful record!

~ Marta Ulvaeus, KCSB Santa Barbara, CA

NYC Jazz Record

The Circle Starts Here (with Harvie S & Steve Williams)

Larry Corban (Nabroc)

by Terrell Holmes

Larry Corban is a wonderfully conversant guitarist,

whose articulacy and fluidity define his new album.

He’s joined by first-call stalwarts Harvie S (bass) and

Steve Williams (drums) to form a vigorous trio, which

infuses this roster of straightahead tunes with a vibe

both dynamic and relaxed.

Genre and tempo pose no problems for this group;

its gracefulness and facility are unwavering. These

songs, with Corban’s crisp, octave-rich lines at their

core, have an impressive balance and variety. The band

is solid at midtempo on the lilting “Bossa Barb” and

the scampering “Side Swiped”, slick and edgy on the

burners “Enjoy the Ride” and “On the Sly”. The

sunglasses-at-midnight strut of “Wolf’s Den” and

standard “East of the Sun” (the only song not written

by Corban) exemplify swing. And the trio plays with a

heartening intimacy when it downshifts on “Roll the

Dice” and “The Second She Leaves”.

Corban favors the slow hand when he plays solo.

“Hours Late”, “Dream Wheel” and “Hmm” are

contemplative, lovely tunes; the use of overdubbing

enhances their tenderness and gives them added

texture. He doesn’t completely abandon uptempo

tunes – the astrophysics-inspired “Seventh Dimension”

dashes in the off-the-beaten-path time signature of 7/8

– but his thoughtfulness and pacing establish him as a

first-rank balladeer.

If Corban is a traditionalist, he’s a mischievous

one. “Blink of an Eye”, for example, has a strong

suggestion of Wayne Shorter’s “Juju” running through

it. And although Corban writes that “Story Inside My

Head” was inspired by John Coltrane’s “Countdown”,

Harvie S and Williams open the tune with a dynamite

mano a mano recalling drummer Joe Morello thrashing

over pianist Dave Brubeck’s ostinato on “Take Five”.

But all of this would sink into mediocrity if not for the

multifaceted Corban, whose skills as player, composer

and leader make The Circle Starts Here a treat.

Larry Corban: The Circle Starts Here (2013)

By  DAN MCCLENAGHAN

Guitarist Larry Corban keeps a picture of Django Reinhardt(1910-1953) on the wall of his practice room. The Belgium-born Gypsy guitarist/swing pioneer was a master of tripping from single note melodies to crisp chords—and keeping it all swinging in his collaborations with violinist Stephane Grappelli.

Corban takes his Django inspiration well on the opener of The Circle Starts Here CD, his first recorded outing since 2003’sMoving 4-Ward (Self Produced). Corban says that opener, “Sideswiped,” is a nod to alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderleyand trumpeter Lee Morgan. It is—bebop inspirations aside—a virtuosic swing vehicle for Corban and his trio mates, bassist Harvie S and drummer Steve Williams, a Hot Club de France romp with Corban’s clean, snappy lines and sharp, glowing chords on full display.

The trio format suits Corban. His “Bossa Barb,” written for all those gorgeous women that you dream about, has that smooth, cool flow of a lady in a long gown doing a languorous walk in a summer breeze. “Breakneck” lives up to its name, with rapid-fire single notes riding high and fast on the bass/drum rhythm.

Corban seems to have an old soul, with his Django Rheinhardt vibe (again) on “Seventh Dimension,” and he also boasts a forward lean and some soul with “On the Sly,” a driving groove that sounds as if it could be covered nicely in the organ trio format, and “Roll the dice,” Corban’s nod to online dating, has a rather dark and melancholy mood.

Corban closes with a gorgeous take on the standard, “East of the Sun,” his guitar singing in front of some beautiful brush work by Steve Williams, for a meditative close to a fine guitar jazz album.

Track Listing: Side Swiped; Bossa Barb; Enjoy the Ride; Seventh Dimension; The Second She Leaves; On the Sly; 3 Hours Late; Roll the Dice; Story Inside My Head; Dream Wheel; Wolf’s Den; Hmm; East of the Son.

Personnel: Larry Corban: guitars; Harvie S: upright bass; Steve Williams: drums.

Record Label: Nabroc Records

CRITICAL JAZZ

by  Brent Black

Larry Corban The Circle Starts Here Nabroc Records 2013

For some reason the better guitarists tend to shy away from the trio format as of late and in some cases they simply avoid it all together. Case in point, the accomplished guitarist Russell Malone waiting until recently to release his first trio recording. Perhaps like the solo piano effort, a guitar trio is the equivalent of tap dancing in a sonic mine field as one escapes with their life or not at all. Larry Corban’s The Circle Starts Here embraces the guitar trio and runs with it offering up 13 original compositions and one standard to reinforce the sonic bridge between traditional and modern jazz.

For those of you asking, “Who is Larry Corban?” we have a musical resume that includes performing with Omer Avital, Tia Fuller, and Robert Glasper to drop but a few names from his travels. Of course a guitar trio date is only as good as the rhythm section and Corban is ably backed with session ace Harvie S on bass and Steve Williams on drums. Corban digs deep utilizing the electric, steel and nylon acoustic guitars for added depth and texture often missing from some trios that come off sounding a little “one note.” The acoustic work is reminiscent of some John McLaughlin while the electric side is a vibrant presentation that could be referred to as a George Benson meets Grant Green hybrid of six string wonder. Artistic comparisons are inherently unfair by nature as the comparison here are used to simply give one the idea of the lyrical force that is Larry Corban. Clean angular solos with a charming intimacy and necessary fire when the moment is right, a truly unique voice for guitar.

“SideSwiped” is a mid tempo number inspired by the great work of both Cannonball Adderley and Lee Morgan. “Dreamwheel” utilizes the nylon string for a more contemporary flair with the inspiration of a gorgeous ski slope in Steamboat Springs Co. guiding his pen. The lone standard seems to fit right in the Corban wheelhouse as “East Of The Sun” is taken at mid tempo with the subtle nuances of brushes adding the flavor thanks to drummer Steve Williams.

As solid and well thought out as any guitar trio to date. Larry Corban is well on his way as his musical stock would appear to be an arrow pointing straight up!

A rock solid 4 stars!

Tracks: Sideswiped; Bossa Barb; Enjoy The Ride; Seventh Dimension; The Second She Leaves; On The Sky; Blink Of An Eye; 3 Hours Late; Roll The Dice; Story Inside My Head; Dreamwheel; Wolf’s Den; Hmmm; East Of The Sun.

Personnel: Larry Corban: guitars; Harvie S: bass; Steve Williams: drums.

CD/LP/Track Revie

by Grady Harp

4.0 out of 5 stars The Debut Recording of New York Guitarist/Composer Larry Corban’s Trio 

By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Appropriately enough Larry Corban introduces his new sound: `I am happy to announce that my first jazz trio recording as a leader is now available. I am joined by Harvie S and Steve Williams for what can be described as some transcendent moments of music making. This original music project is balanced by one standard and an absolute love for sonic contrast. Solo jazz guitar with bass/drums accompaniment is at the centerpiece but the acoustic guitar duets with myself work as an added sonic dimension to engage the listening experience.’

In the shadows of Corban’s playing and compositions is memory and influence of Django Reinhardt (1910-1953) the Belgium-born Gypsy guitarist/swing pioneer who was a master of tripping from single note melodies to crisp chords–and keeping it all swinging in his collaborations with violinist Stephane Grappelli. But though the spirit of Django remains the compositions and performances here have their own flavor – soul, blues, and of course, jazz.

The trio consists of Larry Corban, guitars, Harvie S, upright bass, and Steve Williams, drums the tracks here are as follows:

Side Swiped, Bossa Barb, Enjoy the Ride, Seventh Dimension, The Second She Leaves, On the Sly

3 Hours Late, Roll the Dice, Story Inside My Head, Dream Wheel, Wolf’s Den, Hmm

East of the Sun

With this recording the Larry Corban Trio is likely to become a widely talked about and listened to jazz ensemble.

THE JAZZ WORD

by  John Barron

Larry Corban – The Circle Starts Here

2013 Self Published

A burning guitar trio led by Larry Corban, The Circle Starts Here features thirteen of the New York-based guitarist’s own tunes and a swinging version of “East of the Sun.” Corban is a no-nonsense player who can manage blistering chops without losing an in-the-pocket relaxed feel. This is best exemplified on uptempo pieces such as “Sideswiped” and “Enjoy the Ride.” Bassist Harvie S, who delivers an exquisite solo on “Bossa Barb,” and drummer Steve Williams add their collective expertise to the proceedings.

www.larrycorban.com

FAME Review
Larry Corban – The Circle Starts Here

Larry Corban – The Circle Starts Here

Nabrock Records – NBR-001

By  M.S. Tucker

Available from Larry Corban’s online store.

Larry Corban has worked with enough stalwarts—Gerry Niewood, Roy Hargroves, Richard Lee and Irrational Logic, Reggie Washington, and LOTS more—to fill up an extensive menu: column A, column B and column C. His work in The Circle Starts Here is in trio format with the long-famed Harvie S on bass and Steve Williams on drums, both of whom have played and toured with dizzingly talented jazz titans. Corban’s preferred mode is bop verging upon fusion but without the distortion, power chords, and usual outside paraphernalia. In the promo lit, the writer places him somewhere between John McLaughlin’s My Goals Beyond period and Pat Metheny, and that’s not a bad comparison at all.

I say start with the speedy Enjoy the Ride where Mahavishnu Orchestra’s famed fretbender meets Django Reinhardt and especially listen to the way Corban starts tearing his chords apart to winnow out clustered lead notes, obtaining a rarely heard manifestation sitting smack-dab in the middle of both. Seventh Dimension follows, Corban duetting with himself on two acoustic guitars, invoking a number of truncated tempos punctuating themselves autodidactically. In fact, one of the more surprising aspects of this CD is that the guy is ceaselessly splitting down the mathematics and possibilities of what he’s writing. It’s a fascinating process and quickly becomes apparent he’s improvising on multiple levels. That’s where the fusion comes in, and many many passages will intrigue Soft Machine and Nucleus aficionados…again: without all the thunder and mega-amperage.

Of course, when you’ve studied under Martino, Goodrick, Juris, Brackeen, and as many top shelfers as Corban has, finesse and celerity, not to mention depth of invention, are to be expected, though I have to say this guy exceeds expectations. Thus, slotting him with Metheny and McLaughlin (and even George Benson, whose old stuff to this day knocks me out) is perfect. Several worlds meet in his work and spawn a fourth: Corban’s own. Harvie S walks the periphery around the guitar work, fleshing out the environment, while Williams complements the main axe in great restrained shades, chiefly as ambient as Harvie but in a fashion as hypnotic as Corban’s—listen, for instance, to Blink of an Eye and note the choices made. Then just sit back and listen to everything.

Track List:    Sideswiped     Bossa Barb     Enjoy the Ride     Seventh Dimension     he Second She Leaves     On the Sly     Blink of an Eye      3 Hours Late     Roll the Dice     Story Inside My Head     Dreamwheel     Wolf’s Den     Hmm     East of the Sun

by  Susan Frances

Album Review: the Circle Starts Here from Larry Corban

JAZZSCENE

by  George Fendel

The Circle Starts Here; Larry Corban, guitar.

The first thing a jazz guitarist can do to get a “thank you” from me is to simply make the guitar sound like a guitar. Corban passes test #1! In addition, he can alternately lay down sizzling tempos and deliver ballads with ease. His trio consists of Harvie S., an in-demand New York bassist, and Steve Williams, drummer for many years for no less an artist than Shirley Horn. Corban’s writing runs the gamut from quirky and quick to sultry and subtle. Impressive guitar chops can be found here!

Nabroc Records; 2013; appx. 55 minutes.