By Shawn Raymundo
Mr. 335 himself is coming to San Juan Capistrano to play at The Coach House on Thursday, Feb. 21.
To those who don’t know, Larry Carlton, otherwise known as Mr. 335 – a reference to his guitar, a Gibson ES-335 – is a legend in the music industry. The Grammy Award-winning rock and jazz guitarist has recorded with several artists such as Steely Dan, Michael Jackson and Joni Mitchell over his more than 50-year career.
“I just love playing the guitar, so any chance I have to perform, it’s just a good deal,” Carlton told The Capistrano Dispatch.
When Carlton comes to town, he’ll be accompanied by drummer Gene Coy, Travis Carlton on bass and Ruslan Sirota on keys.
With such a storied career, Carlton is known for reaching back from his past to play songs that include renditions he worked on with Steely Dan and with The Crusaders, in addition to performing music from his own solo work.
“After all these years, people still want to hear me play, and so I’m very humbled by that,” Carlton said.
For his show at The Coach House, Carlton said he’ll be performing songs he knows fans in San Juan Capistrano haven’t heard him play live yet. One song in particular that he’s excited to play this year is “Ten:00 P.M.” from his 1982 solo studio album, Sleepwalk.
During the show, fans will also get to hear music Carlton worked on for Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall album as well as the instrumental theme from the “Hill Street Blues” soundtrack, which earned him his first Grammy Award in 1981.
“There will be material that the audience has never heard me play before,” Carlton said, later adding that “the audience gets a kick out of reliving those (songs).”
As for releasing any new albums in the near future, Carlton said there are no definitive plans yet.
“I don’t record until I’m inspired,” he said.
Though known for being a jazz guitarist, Carlton said he isn’t interested in recording a smooth jazz album.
“I just wait for projects to come along that are fun and interesting for me that really don’t have anything to do with the smooth jazz market,” he said.
Last year, Carlton did get to work on a special project in Japan that he found “really fun and interesting.” For several nights, he performed and recorded some songs he worked on with The Crusaders and with Steely Dan. Carlton added that many of those songs he recorded he had never played at shows.
“I did a special project in Japan, and we did record every night,” he said. “I just haven’t listened to the masters to make sure we have the right recording of it. That’s for the future.”
Tickets to see Larry Carlton at The Coach House are $39.50 for general admission. VIP tickets are also available for an additional $90, which includes a meet-and-greet after the show and photo op. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21.
The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. For tickets or more information, call 949.496.8930 or visit www.thecoachhouse.com.
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