Vincent is a Venezuela-born picker alert to the contemporary guitar tradition
author: Cadence Magazine
Vincent is a Venezuela-born picker alert to
the contemporary guitar tradition. "A-la-sco" gets
things started in the manner of John Scofield, but
ultimately Vincent’s fluent invention suggests the
mellow, stylized, all-pervasive mainstream influ-ence
of Wes Montgomery. Yet to suggest that
Vincent is industry standard would be impertinent,
for he is a supremely accomplished stylist; just
consider his laid-back authority throughout the
mellow ballad original "Ola" by bass player David
Slack. I found his refined acoustic guitar work in
"In the Mirror" featured individuated and distinc-tive
playing that reflected his Latin American roots.
Trumpet player Thompson adds his vibrant pres-ence
to the upbeat swinging funk of "Blues for
Miles" with its insistent triplet motif, while the
vibrant rapport between Simmerman and the per-cussion
section offsets Vincent as he explores
"French Kiss" in a nimble post-Bop mode. There is
a lot of interest in this varied set for fans of the gui-tar.
Recommended.
David Lewis
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Guitarist Larry Vincent is one of Knoxville's true treasures.
author: Wayne Bledsoe (Knoxville News-Sentinel)
Guitarist Larry Vincent is one of Knoxville's true treasures. He's a player who truly knows how to swing, but he can also play some gorgeous classical work. On "A Look Inside," Vincent surrounds himself with fellow stars of the Knoxville jazz scene - drummer Keith Brown, trumpeter Vance Thompson, pianist Scott Simmerman, percussionist Ben Arnold and bassist David Slack (who also wrote one of the disc's best cuts). Vincent's artistry is best experienced in concert, but this is a fine stuff for those who can't make his shows.
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On this sophomore release, jazz guitarist Larry Vincent accentuates the Latin
author: metropulse
Larry Vincent
A Look Inside (Doodlebug Music)
On this sophomore release, jazz guitarist Larry Vincent accentuates the Latin. Vincent is of Venezuelan birth, and while his freshman recording (In Exile, Doodlebug Music, 2000) contained only the occasional south of the border melody or presumption, on this latest the influences are distinctly overt.
A notable example is “Seis por Derecho” (Six By Right), which appears as the tenth cut but really ought to have been the CD opener. A Vincent arrangement of a classical guitar composition by Venezuelan composer Antonio Lauro, “por Derecho” features very clever melodic lines, tricky acoustic guitar finger work, purring traps courtesy of Keith Brown, and a simple but thoroughly delightful electric guitar solo added to the mix. One suspects that “a look inside” Larry Vincent would look a lot like this tune, a blend of traditional and jazz elements, smoothly assembled.
Which isn’t to suggest there’s nothing else to find in Look Inside. In addition to two traditional Venezuelan solo guitar melodies, Vincent inclines a nod to John Scofield on the burning “A-la-sco,” references Pat Metheny on the Vincent original “In the Mirror,” invites trumpeter (and Knoxville Jazz Orchestra director) Vance Thompson over on two original bop heads, “Blues for Miles” and “Stranger Things Have Happened,” and delivers an urbane reading of Donald Brown’s “French Kiss....” Throughout fine support is provided by Scott Simmerman (piano), Keith Brown (drums), Ben Arnold (percussion), and David Slack (bass).
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delightful - varied moods - latin flavor - congenial group
author: Glenn Graber
This is a delightful disk. Moods vary from tender to raucous, always with the joy of the group to be playing together showing through loud and clear. Includes tributes to some jazz greats, but the latin flavor that Vincent brings in gives them a fresh take. My personal favorite cut is Seis por Derecho - explorations which take off from a classical guitar piece.
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