Larry Kolker's songs emerge from American roots music but are performed with a modern edge. Their genres cross folk, blues, pop, rock, soul, and jam-band, harmonized by his distinctive voice. His music has been called the "urban country east-coast white-boy blues". In his lyrics, Larry has something to say. He is a versatile guitar player and features the blues harp. His influences include Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, and David Bromberg.
Larry is based in the Lower Hudson Valley and has performed in venues throughout the Northeast, including the Groove, the Lion’s Den, Le Bar Bat, the National Underground, the Sun Music Company, the BeanRunner, the Black Cat Café, Susan's, and the Funky Bean Café.
He played at the 2012 Montauk Music Festival, the Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg, PA, and the Bob Dylan Festival at the Warwick Valley Winery. He has performed live on various cable and radio shows and co-organized grass-roots music events such as the Homerecording Jamfest and the Children’s Rights benefits.
Larry's new CD, Awful Smart Man, was co-produced with Fred Gillen Jr. at Woody’s House studio, and includes guest performances by pop folk trio the YaYas. It is receiving significant airplay on independent stations. A review:
"...[I]magine a concert with Dylan headlining, Loudon Wainwright III second on the bill and John Prine third, let’s say it wouldn’t seem at all strange if Larry Kolker opened the evening’s entertainment.
He’s certainly an all-round talent. He’s a distinctive vocalist with songwriting chops to match; an accomplished guitarist and an in demand blues-harpist. As far as I can tell “Awful Smart Man” is his second album ... and although his trips to the studio are far from regular, the results are well worth seeking out. Here he begins with the title track, and the simple voice / guitar arrangement sets the mood for a self-depreciating lyric, and a near-yodel. “Send Me to the 'lectric Chair” starts slow and folksy, but when the instruments kick in, in swings like an early jazz-blues standard. There really is no shortage of variety on “Awful Smart Man”. “Top Percent” grooves like a ‘70s jam band and the marvelous “Don't Tempt Irene” rocks and rolls in a most satisfying manner... [C]o-producer / engineer Fred Gillen Jr. plays bass, and provides just enough polish for Kolker to shine." -Rob F., Leicester Bangs arts and music blog
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