The Suffolk presents Larry Carlton, a four-time Grammy Award winner and 19-time nominee, in concert on Friday, September 19, at 8 p.m.
Carlton is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished and versatile guitarists of the past five decades. A studio legend turned solo artist, his credits span an extraordinary range of iconic recordings and collaborations.
In the 1970s and early 1980s, Carlton became one of the most in-demand session guitarists in Los Angeles, contributing to hundreds of albums a year. His work appears on recordings by Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, and many others. His distinctive solo on Steely Dan’s “Kid Charlemagne” remains one of the most celebrated guitar performances in rock history.
Carlton launched his solo career in 1978 with a self-titled album for Warner Bros., followed by “Strikes Twice,” “Sleepwalk,” and the Grammy-nominated “Friends.” He later released acclaimed albums on MCA and GRP Records, including “Discovery,” “On Solid Ground,” and “Last Nite,” the latter earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance.
Beyond the studio, Carlton also made his mark with memorable contributions to TV and film soundtracks, including the Grammy-winning theme for “Hill Street Blues” and music for “Against All Odds” and “Who’s the Boss.”
Despite surviving a life-threatening shooting in 1988, Carlton returned to the stage and studio with resilience, founding a nonprofit organization, Helping Innocent People (HIP), to assist victims of gun violence.
Known for his warm, expressive tone and genre-spanning style that blends jazz, blues, pop, and rock, Carlton continues to perform and record, inspiring audiences around the world with his mastery and soulfulness.
Tickets are $39 to $99 at thesuffolk.org. The Suffolk is located at 118 East Main Street in Riverhead.
Staff Writer on Sep 1, 2025