Willis was born in New York City. After his first year studying music theory at the Manhattan School of Music he began performing regularly with Jackie McLean. After he graduated he made his first jazz recording, McLean's Right Now! in January 1965, which featured two of Willis' compositions. His first recording of any type, however, was as a singer with the Music and Arts Chorale Ensemble, performing an opera by Aaron Copland under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. He decided to concentrate on jazz because of the difficulties African American musicians had in finding work in concert music.
Throughout his career he has performed with a wide range of musicians, including several years as keyboardist for Blood, Sweat & Tears (beginning in 1972). He spent several years as pianist for Nat Adderley, as well as long and productive tenures with Roy Hargrove and with Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band. His latest recording with Paul Murphy, Exposé, demonstrated the fusion principles of bebop and avant-garde jazz. His composition "Sanctuary" began exploring works employing strings. After a successful performance in Frank Lloyd Wright's Annie Pfieffer Chapel at Florida Southern College's Child of the Sun Jazz Festival he was commissioned to write a full scale orchestral work for jazz trio and orchestra. He received the Don Redman award in 2011, and the Benny Golson Jazz Master Award at Howard University in 2012.
Discography
As leader/co-leader
A New Kind of Soul (LLP, 1970)
Inner Crisis (Groove Merchant, 1973)
My Funny Valentine (Jazz City, 1988)
Just in Time (SteepleChase, 1989)
Heavy Blue (SteepleChase, 1990)
Let's Play (SteepleChase, 1991)
Steal Away (AudioQuest, 1991 1992)[2]
Solo Spirit (Mapleshade, 1992, [1993])
How Do You Keep the Music Playing? (SteepleChase, 1992)
Unforgettable: Piano Solos, (SteepleChase, 1992)
A Tribute to Someone (AudioQuest, 1993 [1994])
Serenade (Sound Hills, 1995)
If Trees Could Talk (Mapleshade, 1999) with Hamiet Bluiett
Sunshower (Mapleshade, 2001) with Kash Killion, Steve Novosel, Paul Murphy, Steve Berrios
Sanctuary (Mapleshade, 2003) with Joe Ford, Ray Codrington, Steve Novosel, Steve Berrios, Artie Sherman and the Rick Schmidt Strings
The Powers of Two (Mapleshade, 2004) with Paul Murphy
The Powers of Two, Volume 2 (Mapleshade, 2004 [2006]) with Paul Murphy
Alter Ego (Mapleshade, 2006) with Tony Pancella
The Big Push (HighNote, 2006)
Blue Fable (HighNote, 2007)
The Offering (HighNote, 2008)
This Time the Dream's on Me (HighNote, 2012)
As sideman
With Nat Adderley
On the Move (Theresa, 1983)
Blue Autumn (Theresa, 1983)
With Gary Bartz
Episode One: Children of Harlem (Challenge, 1994)
With Cindy Blackman
Arcane (Muse, 1987)
With Carla Bley
Night-Glo (Watt/ECM, 1985)
Sextet (Watt/ECM, 1987)
With Blood, Sweat, and Tears
New Blood (Columbia, 1972)
With Louis Hayes
Nightfall (SteepleChase, 1991)
With Jimmy Heath
Peer Pleasure (Landmark, 1987)
With Joe Henderson
Multiple (Milestone, 1973)
With Groove Holmes
American Pie (Groove Merchant, 1972)
With Clifford Jordan
The Mellow Side of Clifford Jordan (Mapleshade, 1989-91 [1997])
With Robin Kenyatta
Gypsy Man (Atlantic, 1973)
With Hugh Masekela
Grrr (uncredited) (1966)
Reconstruction (1970)
Home Is Where the Music Is (1978)
Main Event Live (1978)
Almost Like Being in Jazz (2005)
Friends (2012)
With Jackie McLean
Right Now! (Blue Note, 1965)
Jacknife (Blue Note, 1965)
With Carmen McRae
Carmen Sings Monk (1988)
With Lee Morgan
Infinity (Blue Note, 1965)
With Alphonse Mouzon
The Essence of Mystery (Blue Note, 1972)
With David "Fathead" Newman
Still Hard Times (Muse, 1982)
With Valery Ponomarev
Trip to Moscow (Reservoir, 1987)
With Woody Shaw
For Sure! (Columbia, 1979)
With Steve Swallow
Carla (Xtra Watt, 1987)
With Buddy Terry
Lean on Him (Mainstream, 1973)
With Norris Turney
Big, Sweet 'n Blue – with Turney, Walter Booker, and Jimmy Cobb (Mapleshade, 1993)
With Fred Lipsius
Dreaming of Your Love (mja Records,1995)
With C. I. Williams
When Alto Was King (Mapleshade, 1997)
As co-leader
With Heads of State
Search for Peace – with Buster Williams, Al Foster, and Gary Bartz (Smoke Sessions, 2015)
Unforgettable
Larry Willis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's what you are
Unforgettable
Tho' near or far
Like a song of love that clings to me
How the thought of you does things to me
Never before has someone been more
Unforgettable in every way
That's why darling it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too
Larry Willis's song Unforgettable is a beautiful tribute to someone who is truly unforgettable. The lyrics describe how this person is always on the singer's mind, no matter how near or far they may be. The comparison to a "song of love" emphasizes how deeply the singer feels for this person, with their thoughts of them having a powerful effect on them.
The phrase "Never before has someone been more unforgettable in every way" speaks to the magnitude of the singer's feelings, as if they have never experienced someone who has had such a profound impact on them. The final lines reveal that the person in question thinks of the singer as unforgettable too, making their connection even more powerful and special.
Overall, the lyrics of Unforgettable are a romantic expression of deep affection for someone who is truly unforgettable. The use of metaphors and comparisons to music make the emotions even more powerful, conveying the depth of the singer's feelings in a beautiful and poetic way.
Line by Line Meaning
Unforgettable
You are someone who will always be remembered and cherished.
That's what you are
You possess a quality unlike any other.
Unforgettable
Even though we may be separated, my memory of you remains vivid.
Tho' near or far
Regardless of our physical distance, you remain close to me emotionally.
Like a song of love that clings to me
You are a melody that stays with me and fills my heart with love.
How the thought of you does things to me
Just thinking about you evokes strong emotions within me.
Never before has someone been more
No one else has made as big an impact on me as you.
Unforgettable in every way
You are remarkable and unforgettable in every aspect of your being.
And forever more, that's how you'll stay
Your unforgettable nature will continue on through time.
That's why darling it's incredible
It's amazing that someone like you exists in my life.
That someone so unforgettable
It's truly remarkable that someone as special as you is in my life.
Thinks that I am unforgettable too
It's an honor that someone as unforgettable as you considers me to be just as unforgettable.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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