Larry McKenna Two For The Road

Larry McKenna is a perfect example of a jazz musician who isn't well known nationally but is considered a master of his instrument in his home town. The majority of jazz lovers in New York or Boston may not be familiar with him, but mention McKenna's name to many jazzmen in Philadelphia, and they'll tell you that, along with Bootsie Barnes and Jimmy Oliver, he's one of the city's best tenor sax players. After joining a high school jazz band at 14 and playing small gigs around Philly as a young adult, McKenna got his first significant break when, in 1959, he spent six months on the road as a member of Woody Herman's Big Band. McKenna was with George Young in 1962 and Al Raymond in 1970, and it was in the early 1970s that he started teaching at Temple University, West Chester University and Philadelphia Community College. Over the years, he's recorded with Herman, Buddy DeFranco and Dr. Bruce Klauber as a sideman and played countless local gigs as a leader, but he didn't record a CD of his own until 1997, when he provided My Shining Hour: Larry McKenna Plays Harold Arlen for the tiny, Pittsburgh-based Alanna Records. The late 1990s found McKenna continuing to teach at the above-mentioned colleges while playing around Philly regularly.
Taken from his wonderul Album 'Profile' from 2009

[@eileencalabrese5618]

What a treasure! I wish he was recognized more.His talent and emotion are what has been amazing. This has been sorely missed in todays music.

[@jeanpierrecarpentier]

The art of the ballad in all of its heart's intelligence. 😇

[@BarryNulph]

Keep going L.M. you are one of the really good ones.

[@nigelsykes5075]

Larry McKenna is one of the greats. He makes the sweet sound of the Tenor Sax hypnotize you into submission. Listen, relax, enjoy. Essential for living these days.

[@PabloVestory]

Amazing! I can't believe this superb musician doesn't have a wikipedia article in english. He has in german, though

[@locasax]

M'inchino con rispetto e profonda ammirazione davanti a questo grande poeta.
Quanto pesano queste poche note...

[@johantanjung4905]

yes, i agree... mr Larry mckenna play the tenor so smooth sound really...

[@catistefi1148]

just lovely, saved for a jazz evening with my Ub❤

[@antoniocarlosmantoani3923]

Just beautiful, this Mancini song. Marvelous performance.

[@udos.7611]

Das ist bekloppt!

[@donnymattei1826]

You is my heart

[@MrRiguepeu]

For me, he's the best tenor saxophonist.

[@angelamason8797]

I 'm loving this, so relaxing

[@raycorri]

Would love for you post the rest of these as this album appears to be no longer available.😟

[@pancholin368]

♥️