Distinguished jazz bassist talks about starting out on trumpet, how Jaco and James Jamerson influenced him and more
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
August 14, 2017
By David Sands
Known for his distinctively fat tone, Larry Grenadier is one of those bassist’s who’s really made a mark on the contemporary jazz scene. Throughout his three-decade career, he’s collaborated and toured with a host of respected jazz artists, including legends like Stan Getz, Art Farmer and Michael Brecker.
A San Francisco native, the double bassist got his music career rolling during his teen years, playing with established Bay area musicians like Harvey Wainapel, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson and Donald Bailey. While earning a degree in English Lit at Stanford, he got to know the great saxophonist Stan Getz and later performed and toured with his band. Grenadier is particularly known for his longtime association with pianist Brad Mehldau’s trio and for his time touring with Pat Metheny. Other well-known musicians he’s worked with include Paul Motian, Charles Lloyd, Enrico Rava, Danilo Perez, Chris Potter, Joshua Redman and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Along with drummer Jeff Ballard and saxophonist Mark Turner, Grenadier is also a member of the acclaimed cooperative jazz trio Fly.
FBPO’s Jon Liebman got an opportunity to speak with Larry about his formative years, musical influences, experiences with Kaplan strings on his German upright bass and other topics at the 2017 International Society of Bassists convention in Ithaca, New York.
Watch our interview with Larry:
