Episode
Larry Goldings: Serving the Song
- Podcast
- The Bandwich Tapes
- Published
- Mar 23, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3213
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://share.transistor.fm/s/65176f65
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Summary
On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with Larry Goldings —keyboardist, organist, composer, and one of the most respected musical collaborators working today. Larry has built a career that stretches across jazz, pop, film, television, and session work, but what really stands out in our conversation is his deep commitment to serving the music first. We start by talking about some of the projects currently on his plate. From a new recording with his organ trio featuring Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart , to an unexpected and joyful children’s album with tap-dance legend Melinda Sullivan , Larry’s creative world is constantly expanding. Whether it’s instrumental jazz, singer collaborations, or more experimental projects, his curiosity keeps pushing him into new musical spaces. A major part of the conversation centers on his long-running role in James Taylor’s band . Larry shares how he first connected with James in the early 2000s and what it takes to serve those songs night after night at the highest level. Playing alongside musicians like Steve Gadd , he reflects on what he’s learned about feel, restraint, and the kind of deep musical trust that makes a rhythm section truly work. From there we head down the rabbit hole into Scary Goldings and Scary Pockets , the groove-driven projects that have introduced Larry to a whole new generation of listeners online. He talks about how those sessions began, why the format encourages spontaneity, and how collaboration and curiosity remain the driving forces behind the music. For the gearheads and music nerds—myself included—we also revisit a memorable moment from the Michael Brecker “Time Is of the Essence” sessions. Larry recalls the experience of playing alongside Elvin Jones , navigating the nerves of the session, a…