Carlton, Larry: The Smooth Jazz Guitar Virtuoso

Larry Carlton is an American guitarist and composer celebrated as a defining voice in smooth jazz and studio session history. Hailing from Torrance, California, his career spans over five decades, marked by four Grammy Awards, over 100 gold and platinum album certifications for his session work, and a prolific solo catalog that has consistently topped the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts.

Early career

Born in 1948, Larry Carlton began playing guitar as a child, developing a signature tone blending blues, jazz, and rock. His professional journey started in the late 1960s, with early credits on records by artists like The Fifth Dimension and his first solo album, 1968's With a Little Help from My Friends, showcasing his precocious talent.

Breakthrough

Carlton's dual-path to fame accelerated in the 1970s. He became one of Los Angeles's most in-demand session musicians, contributing iconic guitar parts to Steely Dan's Kid Charlemagne and albums by Joni Mitchell and Michael Jackson. His own commercial breakthrough arrived with 1978's Larry Carlton on Warner Bros. Records, which cracked the Billboard 200 and established him as a formidable solo artist.

Key tracks

Room 335 — This instrumental from his 1978 self-titled album became an instant classic and a staple of smooth jazz radio.

Kid Charlemagne — His legendary guitar solo on this Steely Dan track is frequently cited as one of the greatest in rock history.

Smiles and Smiles to Go — The title track from his 1979 album further solidified his melodic, crossover jazz sound.

Minute by Minute — Carlton's guitar work was central to The Doobie Brothers' 1978 smash album, earning him a Grammy as a performer.

Sleepwalk — His 1992 rendition of the Santo & Johnny classic won him a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

The 1980s saw Carlton release a string of successful albums for MCA Records, including the Grammy-nominated Discovery in 1987. A life-threatening shooting in 1988 temporarily halted his career, but he made a triumphant return, founding the jazz group Fourplay in 1991 and continuing his solo work on labels like GRP and 335 Records.

Fans of Larry Carlton's polished, melodic guitar style should also explore the work of similar artists featured on our station. Listen to Lee Ritenour for another master of studio craftsmanship and crossover jazz. Discover Fourplay, the supergroup Carlton helped found, for a richer ensemble sound. The soulful improvisations of George Benson share a similar vocal-like guitar approach. For instrumental rock-infused jazz, try Larry Carlton himself, as his influence is wide-reaching within the genre.

Larry Carlton's extensive catalog receives regular airplay across a network of smooth jazz, classic rock, and adult contemporary FM stations featured on this website. His timeless instrumentals and renowned session hits are programmed alongside both legendary and contemporary artists, ensuring his guitar work reaches new and longtime listeners daily.

You can hear the sophisticated guitar work of Larry Carlton on dedicated smooth jazz and classic rock radio stations available through onairium.com. Tune in to discover his iconic solos and melodic compositions as part of our curated music rotation.