American Musician. Known as the 'Godfather of Fusion', Coryell was a pioneer of jazz-rock, who released more than 60 solo albums in his lifetime. Born in Texas, but raised near Seattle, he began to play piano at the age of 4, and in his teens, he learned to play rock music on the guitar. After studying journalism at The University of Washington, he relocated to New York in 1965 where he studied classical guitar. He made his debut recording on drummer Chico Hamilton's album 'The Dealer' which featured Coryell's melding of rock and jazz stylings. In 1966, he formed the psychedelic band The Free Spirits, on which he composed, sang and played the sitar. In 1968, he released two solo albums, 'Lady Coryell' and 'Coryell', which fused jazz, classical and rock. Among his most notable albums were 'Spaces' (1969), 'The Real Great Escape' (1973), 'Twin House' (1977) 'Young Django' (1979), 'Scheherazade' (1982), 'The 11th House' (1985), 'Dragon Gate' (1989), 'I'll Be Over You' (1995), 'The Coryells' (1999), 'Cedars of Avalon' (2002), 'Traffic' (2006), 'Earthquake at the Avalon' (2009), 'The Lift' (2013) and 'Barefoot Man: Sanpaku' (2016). Coryell died of natural causes in his New York City hotel room, after performing his last two shows days earlier at the city's Iridium Jazz Club.
American Musician. Known as the 'Godfather of Fusion', Coryell was a pioneer of jazz-rock, who released more than 60 solo albums in his lifetime. Born in Texas, but raised near Seattle, he began to play piano at the age of 4, and in his teens, he learned to play rock music on the guitar. After studying journalism at The University of Washington, he relocated to New York in 1965 where he studied classical guitar. He made his debut recording on drummer Chico Hamilton's album 'The Dealer' which featured Coryell's melding of rock and jazz stylings. In 1966, he formed the psychedelic band The Free Spirits, on which he composed, sang and played the sitar. In 1968, he released two solo albums, 'Lady Coryell' and 'Coryell', which fused jazz, classical and rock. Among his most notable albums were 'Spaces' (1969), 'The Real Great Escape' (1973), 'Twin House' (1977) 'Young Django' (1979), 'Scheherazade' (1982), 'The 11th House' (1985), 'Dragon Gate' (1989), 'I'll Be Over You' (1995), 'The Coryells' (1999), 'Cedars of Avalon' (2002), 'Traffic' (2006), 'Earthquake at the Avalon' (2009), 'The Lift' (2013) and 'Barefoot Man: Sanpaku' (2016). Coryell died of natural causes in his New York City hotel room, after performing his last two shows days earlier at the city's Iridium Jazz Club.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
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