Larry Goldings is in "that elite and small group of great piano players" - Pat Metheny

With Quartet, Larry Goldings and his band masterfully blend their distinct personalities into a lyrical and diverse album, Goldings' fifth for Palmetto Records.

Quartet features twelve tracks including interpretations of Bjork's Cocoon, French composer Gabriel Fauré's Au bord de l'eau , and Thelonious Monk's Jackie-ing. It is rounded out by special guest Madeleine Peyroux singing W.C. Handy's Hesitation Blues . Quartet is Goldings' most eclectic and richly textured recording to date, ranging from a stark duet version of We Shall Overcome to several spontaneous group improvisations.

Known mostly for his work on the Hammond organ, this release features Goldings primarily on the piano. He also plays Wurlitzer electronic piano, Hammond organ, harmonium, accordion and glockenspiel. His band includes John Sneider , trumpet and cornet, Ben Allison , bass, and Matt Wilson , drums and percussion. Quartet was recorded at Maggie's Farm, Palmetto's studio in Pennsylvania , and produced by Larry Goldings and Matt Balitsaris.

Goldings' comments on the music: "In the past few years I have delved into such a wide variety of music that denying those influences in the making of this record would have been dishonest. In fact, what interests me most these days is the challenge of melding my disparate influences into a cohesive and personal sound. I am excited by the idea of having a Björk song alongside Gabriel Fauré, next to Chico Buarque, next to an American folk song. And then in my own writing, I like the freedom of going anywhere I want. Eclecticism is really "in" now, and I love it, but only when it's not forced....only when it sounds honest. The idea is to show the connections in music, how different genres across the centuries are all so beautifully related."

About the musicians: ?This recording brought together both old and new friends, all of whom have highly individual approaches to their instruments. They are just as at home and creative on a jazz standard, as they are on a free-form improvisation. John Sneider, an extremely gifted trumpet player and composer, and the ever-imaginative Matt Wilson, were two of the real heavy musicians I first met when I moved to New York in the late 1980's. Prior to this session, I had only worked with Ben Allison a handful of times, but what I've seen him bring to other projects has really made an impression on me. Ben takes on not only the traditional role of the bass, but also coaxes a variety of textures, colors, and grooves out of his instrument.?

For the past 10 years Larry Goldings has consistently appeared in the top 5 on the Down Beat Critics Poll and Readers Poll in the Organist category. In both 2000 and 2001 he took home the Jazz Journalist Association Award in the Organ/Keyboards category.

Artist Information:

Larry Goldings is considered by many to be one of today's premiere jazz organists, pianists and composers. He possesses both a respect for tradition and an insatiable desire for exploration that puts him in a class by himself. Larry's playing is at once lyrical, soulful, and sophisticated. His musical language, while accented by the blues, also is influenced by his deep understanding of harmony, his love for American popular song and contemporary classical music.

Larry has toured and recorded with John Scofield , Jim Hall , Pat Metheny , Maceo Parker , Michael Brecker , Carla Bley , Jack Dejohnette , Madeleine Peyroux , and singing legend James Taylor , on whose latest album, October Road , Larry can be heard playing piano.

Under his own name, Larry has made nine critically acclaimed albums, most of which feature his widely known organ trio with Peter Bernstein (guitar) and Bill Stewart (drums).

This year, look for Larry on the road with his new quartet, his trio, and "Trio Beyond" - a powerful organ trio with Jack Dejohnette and John Scofield. Larry also continues to record and perform with James Taylor