Larry Fuller Trio Honors Ray Brown on European Tour

Jazz pianist Larry Fuller honors his late mentor Ray Brown with a heartfelt tribute tour hitting London's PizzaExpress Soho on November 10, followed by key European dates. Fuller, who served as the final pianist in the Ray Brown Trio, brings rare bandstand-earned jazz credentials to this deeply personal celebration of a legend.

From Toledo to the Ray Brown Trio: A Jazz Journey

Larry Fuller taught himself piano by ear as a kid in Toledo, Ohio, borrowing jazz records from the local library and transcribing chord progressions late into the night. His self-taught approach led him to early gigs at just 14, eventually landing him a six-year run as pianist and music director for Grammy-nominated vocalist Ernestine Anderson. That connection proved pivotal — Anderson had her own deep ties to Ray Brown, setting Fuller on a path that would define his career.

The Mentorship That Shaped His Jazz Sound

Fuller's bond with Brown grew through drummer Jeff Hamilton, who introduced the two musicians and later invited Fuller to join his own trio. Fuller went on to record with Brown and ultimately became the last pianist to hold a chair in the iconic Ray Brown Trio. Brown's exacting standards — nearly 100 arrangements memorized, no sheet music on the bandstand — pushed Fuller to new heights. Brown's own verdict was simple and telling: 'He swings hard and I like that.'

European Jazz Tour Dates and What to Expect

The Larry Fuller Trio — featuring Lorin Cohen on bass and Carmen Intorre Jr on drums — kicks off the European leg in London before moving through Copenhagen, Hamburg, Paris, and Neuburg. This is not a centennial event but a personal tribute rooted in genuine mentorship and musical kinship. Fans of soul-deep, hard-swinging jazz will find Fuller's approach both technically dazzling and emotionally direct — exactly the spirit Ray Brown embodied throughout his career.

Key Takeaways

Larry Fuller's Ray Brown tribute tour offers jazz fans a rare chance to experience living history performed with deep personal conviction. From London to continental Europe, Fuller brings the swinging, accessible virtuosity his mentor championed. Don't miss this standout moment on the international jazz calendar this November.

Author: Sebastian Scotney

Source: UK Jazz News

Published: September 27, 2026