Larry Johns

Born and raised in Cornwall, Larry Johns has earned a living as a soldier, an artist, a jazz musician, a music lecturer and a writer, circumnavigating the world in these professions many times.

He learned the mechanics of his original trade with the Staff Band of the

Royal Engineers and at Kneller Hall School of Music. Moving directly to London,

he occupied the lead alto chair with several big bands, whilst jazzing at many

nightspots; most notably ; The "100 Club", Oxford Street; the "Allnighter", Soho

and "The Bull's Head" at Barnes. At these and other venues he blew jazz

shoulder-to-shoulder with Vic Ash, Harry Klein, Brian Dee, Joe Temperley.

One of his enduring memories of those heady be-bob days is of swapping "fours" with the legendary vibraphonist Vic

Feldman immediately prior to his moving to the U.S. to join the Woody Herman

Orchestra. During this period he also played repiano clarinet with an

embryonic London Symphonietta and several smaller classical combinations.

Latterly, he was one of Charlie Katz's "session men", performing on numerous

"hit" (and "not-so-hit") recordings of the day. Later, he worked directly

for several recording companies: Decca, H.M.V., Major-Minor, Philips etc.

holding the "Artists and Repertoire" position with most. With Mercury records,

he fronted various stage bands on promotional tours across Europe and the Far

East, working alongside rising stars of the recording world, Phil Coulter and

Mike Leander. On the demise of viable big band work worldwide, Larry -

along with many of his contemporaries - joined "Geraldo's Navy", and would cross

the Atlantic many times - on both "Queens" - haunting the New York jazz

scene...For many years to come, during "dry" periods, he would utilise this

"jewel" of an employment facility, both for the pocket

The music trade being what it is (was!) the daylight hours were more or less free...and there are only so many hours you can sit by the pool working of your tan!

So Larry started writing and painting.

His seascapes are sold around the world. When not writing, painting, performing or travelling, he teaches art and woodwind privately in Cornwall. For more details visit his website at: www.kornwall.co.uk