Larry Edoff

Dave: We hear so much about Berklee. The meca of music schools. What is it like?
Larry:An amazing experience. I played with some of the finest musicians from around the world. All my good friends are people I met while attending Berklee>.

Dave: I picture a Berklee grad as a musician who has soo much theory, yet I see on your site you encourage improve, can the two coexist?
Larry: Some people think that if you have too much theory, the instinct side of playing won't come out. I use the analogy of someone who reads alot of books and then becomes a writer. The theory only enhances the improvisation.

Dave: You have traveled all over the world playing music. Do you have any special places that stand out?
Larry: Cuba and Africa . Africa (pauses) it's all instinctual playing. It's taught by word of mouth. There is no methodology they show you, and you do it. Cuba has all the elements. Great players from all genres, and they have the passion of any great artist.

Dave:You say you like to work 12-2:30 in the morning. How did you determine this?
Larry: I'm not working that now. But that time of night, It's very special, it's kind of dreamy. It's the quiet time.

Dave:. What did you listen to growing up.
Larry: My Mom is a pianist. I guess growing up I heard what was on the radio Elton John, and Billy Joel. As far as Jazz, I know the Tom and Jerry cartoons had some interesting jazz cuts when I was growing up.. But when I went to Temple University in PA that's where I got into jazz, world music, and classical.

Dave:What are you listening to now?
Larry: Rabih Abu Khalil I've been listening to him and also Michelle Camill and John Coltrain.

Dave:Do you a have any kind of motto, or words you live by.
Larry: Don't go silent.

Dave:Do you have a favorite song on your CD? And why?
Larry: Lyrically "In Subtle Tones" It spent some time trying to make it work. There are some odd time changes which make it fun to play.
Dave: In that song (Subtle Tones) you write "if you take away too much it gives you back much more than it takes." That's pretty deep. What inspired it?
Larry We all love the happy experiences, but as I gain knowledge and get older, you see that the wisdom and the struggles in life give you depth in every bone in your body.

Dave:. I know you know Tony Bennett Personally (Tony has drawn a picture of Larry that's on his site, and asked Larry to place a piece of music at one of his concerts). Has he ever given you any musical advice.
Larry: Its funny. No not really, except. I've watched him perform. He's amazing. He's kind of a Louie Armstrong kind of performer. I saw him at Maxine's, and the crowd was kind of noisy during the warm up act. Tony gets up on stage and starts singing "fly me to the moon" without a mic in front of packed house, and you could hear a pin drop.

Dave: Another son on your subtle tones CD is Watch Out Where You're Going. What was the inspiration?
Larry I was teaching high school for a year Woodland's high school, and there was another class that had a substitute teacher. One student tried to interrupt her class to speak to another student. When the teacher said they couldn't interrupt the class, the kid pushed the door open and beat up the teacher (pretty bad). I was the one who made the call to the Principal.

Dave:You are an artist that is using the weed format and some Internet radio stations. Have you received any feedback from fans that show this is a valuable form of marketing.
Larry: It's great for independent artist. But as for the main stream music business, I feel at its worst its ever been. All this technology makes up for inadequacies. Even going back 10 years ago certain genres just take over the marketplace. I went to party last week with some of the best musicians in the world and these guys are struggling to make it.

Dave:What is next for you?
Larry:I just did four songs, and I have one more song I'm going to finish. My girlfriend is a playwright and we're working on a play based on a Garci Lorca poem called Duende and I am working on the music for that. I also have a friend of mine who wants me to do a Christmas album.

Dave: Larry thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions.
Larry: Oh tank you Dave, and good luck with your site, and your music.

For more information go to

http://www.larryedoff.com