Please enjoy a few memories from the life of dear Larry McKenna, extraordinary jazz tenor saxophonist and gentle man of remarkable kindness, generosity and wit, who passed away at age 86 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 19, 2023. (The slideshow was prepared for his Dec. 7, 2023 funeral, for folks to watch before services began.)
The slideshow features some of Larry McKenna's exquisite ballad playing:
00:00 "Stardust" by Mitchell Parish/Hoagy Carmichael
CD: Robert H. Henderson The H Factor // RH Positive (2002)
Personnel: Larry McKenna, tenor saxophone; Tom Lawton, piano; Pete Colangelo Jr., bass; and Robert H. Henderson, drums.
03:41 "But Beautiful" by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke (arranged by Larry McKenna)
CD: Larry McKenna // World On A String (BCM+D Records 2022)
Personnel: Larry McKenna, tenor saxophone; Silas Irvine, piano; Joe Plowman, bass; Dan Monaghan, drums; Meghan Woodard oboe, English horn; Alberta Douglas, violin; Justin Yoder, cello; Nellie Smith, cello; Chen Chen, cello; and Gloria Galante, harp.
10:04 "You'll Never Know" by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren
CD: Larry McKenna & Pete Colangelo // Horn Talk (c. early 2000s)
Personnel: Larry McKenna, tenor saxophone; Pete Colangelo Sr., trumpet; Jason Shattil, piano; Pete Colangelo Jr., bass; Jim Schade, drums; and Ed Rothmuller, percussion.