|
|
|
|
|
This
led to him making a trip to Cuba in the late fifties where he
began a two year adventure intensely studying Afro-Cuban music
in all its manifestations: from West African based liturgical
repertoire to popular dance styles. On his return to New York he
quickly made a name for himself as a top bandleader and was
signed by the new Fania Record Company, the most important label
in the history of Latin music.
"El
Judio Maravilloso", as he is affectionately called by his
colleagues, completely revolutionized what is known today as
"SALSA". Harlow developed the explosive, Tumpet/trombone
sound of the contemporary salsa bands in the early 70's. He was
the first to introduce the sacred bata' drums of the Yoruba
religion in Cuba to secular |
|
|
Afro-Cuban
dance music in NYC. Known as IFA' or La Regla de Ocha, or
commonly called by the lay public as Santeria, Harlow began
studying its many secrets and eventually became a full fledged
initiate being baptized as the child of Ochun, the Yoruba deity
of the river, shekere and love. |
|
|
|
Harlow studied audio engineering at the Institute of Audio Research in NYC in the early 70’s and became the leading Latin Record producer in the world. For Fania records alone, he has produced over 260 CD’s for various artists and as a leader over 50 cd’s including the Grammy nominee Masterpiece, "La Raza Latina, a Salsa Suite" in 1978, the first serious treatment of the genre, tracing the music’s Diaspora and the evolution from West Africa to Southern Spain through the Caribbean and eventually New York City and the only Latin Opera ever written called "Hommy" which was performed to SRO crowds for 2 shows at Carnegie Hall and 2 shows in Puerto Rico. This opera is being revived in 2008 in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s new Coliseo with an updated cast as well as recording an HBO special and new CD. Harlow is also the producer/pianist for the legendary Fania All-Stars. With the All-Stars he recorded over 60 Cd’s and spread clave Consciousness the world over. |
|
|
|
Mr.
Harlow also co-produced, and wrote music for and starred in,
"Our Latin Thing" and "Salsa", two of the
definitive documentaries on Afro-Cuban based music in New York
City. He appeared in "Fania in Africa" as well as
being the music producer. In 1997 Maestro Harlow composed the
music for "SOFRITO", a multimedia, bilingual family
musical, which features story teller David Gonzalez. Performed
to sold out audiences at the New Victory Theatre on Broadway and
across the Americas, the show incorporates ancient Caribbean
folk tales with live on-stage performances of Harlow's Latin
Legends Band. This CD is available on Laughing Horse records. |
|
|
Mr.
Harlow, as a Governor of the NY chapter of NARAS, was
responsible for making the National Academy of Recording Arts
and Sciences take notice of the contributions of Latin
musicians, which made them establish the first Latin Grammy
Award and now there are 12 different Latin Categories a swell as
the Latin Grammys. He himself has been nominated 3 times for a
Grammy.
He holds a BA in Music from Brooklyn College and a Masters Degree in Philosophy from the New School of Social Research in New York City. Harlow regularly lectures and does Artist in Residencies at Harvard, Yale and all the California State Universities. |
|
|
|
His
classic CD entitled Larry Harlow's Latin Legends Band, on JMM/SONY
DISCOS features a who's who of contemporary Latin musicians. The
fascinating career and life of this "living Legend" is
featured in an exciting new video biography/documentary entitled
"The Golden Age of SALSA Through The Eyes Of Larry
Harlow", |
|
|
produced
by Tropical Visions Entertainment Group" of Puerto Rico.
Harlow was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of
Fame on April 5, 2000 |
|
|
|
Harlow
and the Latin Legends, will be touring Europe, Japan, China, the
Caribbean and the West Coast of the U.S this summer with his new
band called, Larry Harlow's "Thunder Drums", featuring
five of the worlds best Afro-Cuban percussionists, as well as a
guest drummer from each country they appear in concert. All of
this, together with the famous Larry Harlow incredible
brass/string section and Harlow's torrid piano playing make an
exciting Latino presentation.
In
January, 2003 Larry Harlow's Latin Jazz Encounter "Live at
Birdland" was released on the new LATIN COOL |
|
|
label,
thus beginning a new phase in Harlow's career, LATIN JAZZ.
Look for them in all the jazz festivals worldwide. Harlow has just released a double CD and DVD from his 35th Anniversary Concert at Tito Puente Ampitheater in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which will be released in Spring 2006.His 40th Anniversary Latin Legends of Fania has just been released on dvd and cd and is available worldwide. Larry Harlow received the 2008 Latin Grammy Trustee’s award in Houston on Nov 13th on the worldwide Univision Television Network.
Harlow will be touring this season 2008/2009 worldwide with his new Latin Legends Band with many different guest stars from the Fania Record Label. Including, Adalberto Sanitago, Ismael Miranda, Junior Gonzalez, Cano Estremera, Andy Harlow, Nicky Marrero, Ralph Irrizary, Yomo Toro, Alfredo de La Fe as well as band members band members Bobby Sanabria, Chembo Corniel, Louie Bauzo, Ray Martinez, Lewis Kahn, JoeFiedler, Richie Viruet, Frank Fontaine and Mac Gollehon, featuring dynamic vocalists Luisito Rosario and Emo Luciano.
On November 15th 2008 Larry Harlow received the Trustees award GRAMMY for his creative 40 plus years in the recording business.
Click
here to see Larry Harlow's Discography
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
