Bob Holz’s Honoring Larry Coryell celebrates the deep bond between two jazz fusion greats in a new collection that features and pays a moving tribute to the late guitar legend.
Bob Holz's Honoring Larry Coryell is a heartfelt tribute celebrating his friendship and musical partnership with the late guitar innovator who passed away in 2017. The collection features recordings made in 2015 when Coryell joined Holz’s band in the studio and on stage, capturing the unmistakable spark between two masters of jazz fusion. The sessions have been newly mixed and mastered by Los Angeles engineer Dennis Moody, giving the performances fresh life and depth.
The album blends originals written by Holz and pianist Billy Steinway with a handful of inspired covers. One of the standout moments is a fierce and soulful rendition of Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful,” where Coryell’s fluid, expressive playing intertwines with Holz’s powerful drumming. The track is a vivid reminder of how both artists helped shape the evolution of jazz fusion, a genre that Coryell helped define in the late 1960s with Gary Burton’s groundbreaking album Duster.
Coryell’s influence reached Holz long before the two ever met. As a student at Berklee College of Music, Holz was captivated by the sound of Larry Coryell and the Eleventh House, a band that pushed the boundaries of jazz and rock with fearless intensity. Through a mutual connection, Holz eventually reached out to Coryell, beginning a creative partnership that would last for three years. Their collaboration produced two studio albums, A Vision Forward and Visions And Friends, and numerous live performances, often billed as the Larry Coryell Trio or Bob Holz and A Vision Forward featuring Larry Coryell.
“Honoring Larry Coryell is a tribute to the Godfather of Fusion,” Holz says. “This record is overflowing with fantastic guitar playing that is a must-have for any serious Larry Coryell fan.” The synergy between the two artists runs through every track, from the explosive solos to the subtle rhythmic exchanges. Holz’s drumming is crisp, inventive, and deeply expressive, while Coryell’s guitar lines are charged with emotion and technical brilliance. Together, they create music that feels spontaneous yet deeply connected.
“I am forever grateful for the time I had with Larry Coryell, which lasted until his passing in February of 2017,” Holz reflects. “Those years changed my life and my music.”