Larry Newcomb Ph.D. (212) 666-2790 LNjazzblues@yahoo.com

Jazz Guitarist, Bandleader, Guitar Instructor, Composer & Author/Lecturer on Music
Larry Newcomb, performing and recording jazz guitarist, moved back to New York on Valentine’s Day 1999 after earning the Ph.D. in Music Education. Focusing on Guitar History and Literature at the University of Florida, Dr. Newcomb performed and taught extensively in Florida. Currently, Larry performs classic and original jazz in solo, duo, trio, and quartet configurations in the greater metropolitan New York City area and Eastern United States.

Soon after arriving in Manhattan, Newcomb soon heard tenor saxophonist Mike Camoia at the Monday Night Jazz Jam at the Musician's Union Local 802. Adding a bassist and when possible a drummer, Larry and Mike have been performing as the Larry Newcomb Trio and Quartet ever since. They released a CD entitled “New, Fresh, Vital” in 2006. Please see Roberta Zlokower’s review of the Trio live and on CD at www.RobertaOnTheArts.com.

Bassist David Shaich recently joined Newcomb and Camoia for two all-Cole Porter shows at Enzo's in the Madison Towers Jolly Hotel. The LN Trio performs bi-monthly for the Saturday Brunch at Garage featuring Tom Hubbard on bass. Master drummer Clifford Barbaro joins Newcomb, Camoia, and bassist Hide Tanaka for their Saturday night appearances at Cleopatra's Needle. Both the Trio and the Quartet perform a rich mixture of jazz standards and originals.

Another of Dr. Newcomb’s bands, the Larry Newcomb Guitar Trio, performs four shows per week at Moda at the Flatotel in midtown Manhattan with drummer Barbaro and bassist Dmitri Kolesnik. Larry also presents an eclectic mix of electric and acoustic solo guitar styles at numerous venues in Manhattan.

Newcomb enthusiastically teaches and encourages guitar students of all ages, experience levels, and stylistic preferences at Newcomb Guitar Studio in the Morningside Heights Columbia University community. Larry founded Newcomb Guitar School in 1985. Larry is also the Direcctor of Guitar Ensembles at Our Lady of Pompeii School in New York City.

Larry studied guitar with the late Dexter Huntoon in Portland, Maine, with jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli, with contemporary jazz guitarists Randy Johnston and Mark Elf, and under the supervision of classical guitar master Bruce Holtzmann at the Florida State University. In addition to studying composition with Dr. Budd Udell at the University of Florida, Newcomb studied jazz improvisation with saxophonist Bob Mover in Manhattan.

Larry is privileged to have had--or to currently have--the privilege of performing with many talented and inspired keepers of the jazz flame including the following gifted individuals:

Mike Camoia, David Shaich, Tom Hubbard, Dmitri Kolesnik, Hide Tanaka, Clifford Barbaro, Dick Hall, Dan Moretti, Reuben Wilson, Selino Clark, Nick Russo, Mike Campenni, Michele Santanastasio, Fukushi Tainaka, Lou Rainone, Benny Powell, Nathan Lucas, Max Lucas, John Miller, Jim Molloy, Marco Panascia, Tom Pietrycha, Omar Castanos, Christian Finger, Rudy Lawless, Jimmy Vass, George Braith, Jimmy Lovelace, Billy Kaye, Manny Duran, Ayako Shirasaki, Kuni Mikami, Brian Charette, Bernie Thompson, Nate Shaw, Alex Layne, Sweet Georgia Brown, Peter Noone, Lou Christie, Leslie Gore.

PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS’ FEEDBACK ON LARRY NEWCOMB:

Bucky Pizzarelli (World-Renowned Jazz Guitar Innovator)
“Larry Newcomb Is not merely a masterful guitar-player; he’s a lifelong student of the instrument." During Larry's visits to my home for guitar-coaching, I've observed he is a very quick learner, he has marvelous technique, and he is eager to expand his knowledge of the many facets of the instrument. Larry's playing is heartfelt and natural; in addition, he has the knack and the discipline for taking caring of the business end of music. And, thanks Larry, for sending me the Rodrigo charts!"

Larry Lucie (Legendary Guitarist with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, and many others)
"You manage to get a great tone consistently and that isn't easy. I had difficulty keeping a good tone consistently. Your CD is something special. I am very excited because you have something special. You have terrific talent, very good sound - a wonderful sound. Good blend. You have mastered the guitar--you have a very good sound--and you sing well.“

Grady Tate (Legendary Jazz Drummer and Vocalist)
“I took a huge risk in making a phrasing suggestion to a man with as exceptionally beautiful a guitar tone and facility as yours.”

Reuben Wilson (Legendary Hammond B3 Organist with Blue Note and Records, and organist on "Nothing But the Heart")
"Your Nothing But the Heart” CD is great. Your guitar solo on "All I Gotta Do" reminds me of Carlos Santana."

Randy Johnston (Jazz Guitarist, Recording Artist, & Educator)
"Larry Newcomb is a fine musician with inspiration, dedication, and self-discipline. He draws from a well-developed set of guitarist's tools. Look for much great music to flow from his instrument."

Joe Giglio (Jazz Guitarist and Educator)
"A fine jazz guitarist, Larry Newcomb plays with vision and passion. His outstanding quality as a human being shines through in his music."

Peter Arnold (Manhattan Jazz Guitarist)
"Larry Newcomb is one of the best all-around jazz guitarists performing today. He obviously has worked hard at achieving the best sound possible on an amplified instrument, and this enhances everything he plays whether blues, bossa nova, or mainstream/bebop. Larry, in performance, projects an unselfconscious ease in everything he plays. He clearly has the skill to play anything he wants, but he never puts his skill on display as an end in itself; his skill is always at the service of heartfelt music. His performances are well-paced, and he has a knack for choosing the best-suited material for the groups he leads. His sets are dependably varied, and the group dynamics mesh nicely Larry’s tone is, to me, was in the Grant Green/Peter Bernstein vein, very up-front and easy to relate to.