Larry Klein
View on WikipediaKey Information
Larry Klein is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer.[1][2][3][4] He is based in Los Angeles.[5]
He began his career as a bassist, playing with jazz artists Willie Bobo, Freddie Hubbard, Carmen McRae, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Bobby McFerrin, and Dianne Reeves.[6][7][8] As a bass player he has also worked with artists such as Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Peter Gabriel, Don Henley, Lindsey Buckingham, Randy Newman, and Joni Mitchell.[6][7]
As a record producer, Klein is a four-time Grammy Award winner, for his work on albums by Joni Mitchell and Herbie Hancock, and has been nominated for six additional Grammy Awards, including three nominations for Producer of the Year.[5][9][10] Klein has produced more than 100 albums during his career, for musicians such as Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Shawn Colvin, Holly Cole, Madeleine Peyroux, The Innocence Mission, Melody Gardot, Walter Becker and Tracy Chapman.[7][8]
Early life and musical career
[edit]Klein grew up in Monterey Park, California, the son of an aerospace engineer father and a stay-at-home mother.[11][12] When Klein was in junior high school, he was enrolled in the Community School for the Performing Arts, an after-school music program at the University of Southern California.[6][7][11] Klein studied music composition and music theory through the program and began playing in various bands.[11][13]

After graduating from high school early and enrolling at California State University, Klein began to work with various jazz and Latin music groups.[6][7][14] His first job as a touring musician was with Freddie Hubbard.[11] He also played with artists such as Carmen McRae, Wayne Shorter, Willie Bobo and Joe Henderson during this period.[6][7][13][14] After five years of touring, Klein landed a year-long residency as the bass player for the TV program The Merv Griffin Show.[7][14]
Marriage and collaborations with Joni Mitchell
[edit]In 1982, Klein began working as a bassist on Joni Mitchell's Wild Things Run Fast.[11][13] During the sessions, the two became romantically involved and married the same year.[13] It was during his marriage with Mitchell that Klein established himself as a record producer, and began to branch out beyond jazz into pop, rock, soul, and alternative genres.[5][10][13]
In 1985, Klein, Mike Shipley, and Thomas Dolby produced Mitchell's Dog Eat Dog.[5][13] He secured his first solo production with The Cars' bassist Benjamin Orr's 1986 solo album The Lace, also playing bass and keyboards and programming the drums.[6][7][10] In 1988, Klein co-produced both Mitchell's Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm and The Innocence Mission's self-titled album.[1][13] He also co-produced Mitchell's 1991 album Night Ride Home and Shawn Colvin's Fat City in 1992.[1][13]
Klein and Mitchell separated while in the midst of making Mitchell's Turbulent Indigo album.[8][13] The two continued to work together through their divorce in 1994, and Turbulent Indigo would win the 1995 Grammy for Best Pop Album.[9][13] Despite their divorce, they collaborated on the 2000 album Both Sides Now, which won the 2000 Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.[1][9] They also collaborated on Mitchell's 2002 album Travelogue, which was composed entirely of orchestral explorations of songs taken from Mitchell's body of work.[1]
During this time, Klein continued to work as a bassist, most notably on Don Henley's singles "The Boys of Summer" and "The Heart of the Matter",[15] Peter Gabriel's So (also touring with Gabriel),[10] Robbie Robertson's self-titled debut,[16] and Bobby McFerrin's self-titled debut.[10] He also played with Tracy Chapman on her self-titled debut,[1] on her follow-up albums Crossroads and Matters of the Heart, on Bob Dylan's 1988 album Down in the Groove, and on Roy Orbison's posthumous release King of Hearts.[10]
Production era (1995–2010)
[edit]Klein became known for his work with female artists during his marriage to Mitchell.[4] In 1997, he produced Holly Cole's Dark Dear Heart and Mary Black's Shine.[1] In 2000, he produced Julia Fordham's Concrete Love,[1] and in 2004 he produced Madeleine Peyroux's Careless Love.[1]
In 2005, Klein met Brazilian singer Luciana Souza while she was performing at the Los Angeles Philharmonic.[17] The two married in August 2006.[18] He produced Souza's 2007 album The New Bossa Nova.[1][18] Klein also produced Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters, a 2007 re-imagining of ex-wife Mitchell's work.[19] The album features vocals from artists including Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae, Tina Turner, Leonard Cohen, Luciana Souza, Wayne Shorter, and Mitchell herself.[10] River: The Joni Letters won the 2008 Grammy for Album of the Year, as well as for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.[9] In 2008, Klein co-wrote and produced Walter Becker's Circus Money,[15] and played bass on Tracy Chapman's Our Bright Future.[20][21]
In 2009, Klein produced Madeleine Peyroux's Bare Bones and produced a duet with Celine Dion and Zachary Richard on Richard's album Last Kiss.[22] He was nominated for Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) at the 52nd Grammy Awards for his work on albums including Melody Gardot's My One and Only Thrill.[23]
Klein continued his work with Herbie Hancock, producing The Imagine Project.[24] The album won the 2010 Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.[25]
Strange Cargo (2011–present)
[edit]In 2011, Klein partnered with Universal Music Group and Decca Label Group to create the imprint label Strange Cargo.[7][26] The imprint's first signing was Thomas Dybdahl.[26] The label has released albums by Dybdahl, Adam Cohen and Rebecca Pidgeon.[6][14][26] Along with music supervisor Chris Douridas, he worked on the 2014 soundtrack album for the Showtime series House of Lies, which was released on Strange Cargo.[27]
Klein produced Pidgeon's Slingshot and Curtis Stigers' Let's Go Out Tonight in 2012.[1] In 2013, he produced Thomas Dybdahl's What's Left is Forever, Madeleine Peyroux's The Blue Room, Florence K's I'm Leaving You, Alfie Boe's Trust, Ana Moura's Desfado,[10] and Eddy Mitchell's Heros.[1][28][29]
Klein produced Bobby Bazini's debut U.S. album, Where I Belong, in August 2014.[30] He also produced Billy Childs' Map of The Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro.[31] He produced Melody Gardot's 2015 studio album Currency of Man, and her 2020 studio album Sunset in the Blue.[5] He produced Lizz Wright's 2015 album Freedom & Surrender, also co-writing seven songs and playing keyboards and guitar.[32] He produced Lang Lang's 2016 album New York Rhapsody, which featured artists including Lisa Fischer, Jason Isbell, Madeleine Peyroux, Herbie Hancock, Robbie Robertson, and actor Jeffrey Wright. He and Billy Childs received a Grammy nomination for arranging one of the tracks, which weaved together the Lou Reed song "Dirty Boulevard" with Leonard Bernstein's "Somewhere" from West Side Story.[10] He produced Kandace Springs' 2016 debut album Soul Eyes,[33] and her 2020 album The Women Who Raised Me.
In 2019, he received his third Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year, for producing Madeleine Peyroux's Anthem, The Book of Longing by Luciana Souza, Junk by Hailey Tuck, Thomas Dybdahl's All These Things, and actor Jeff Goldblum's debut jazz album The Capitol Studios Sessions.[5] Also in 2019, Klein produced the collaborative album Same Sky, bringing together 23 artists from 17 countries, with the musicians gathering in France.[34]
Awards
[edit]Klein has won four Grammys: Best Pop Album in 1996 for Joni Mitchell's Turbulent Indigo, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Mitchell's Both Sides Now in 2001, Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Jazz Album for Herbie Hancock's album, River: The Joni Letters in 2008.[6][1][7][35][36]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Turbulent Indigo | Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album | Won |
| 2001 | Both Sides Now | Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album | Won |
| 2008 | River: The Joni Letters | Grammy Award for Album of the Year | Won |
| Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album | Won | ||
| 2010 | Larry Klein | Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical | Nominated |
| 2011 | "Imagine" | Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals | Nominated |
| 2015 | Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro | Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album | Nominated |
| 2016 | Larry Klein | Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical | Nominated |
| 2017 | "Somewhere (Dirty Blvd) (Extended Version)" | Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals | Nominated |
| 2019 | Larry Klein | Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical | Nominated |
Production credits
[edit]Work in films
[edit]Klein has professional credits for film soundtracks including The King of Comedy, Raging Bull, Grace of My Heart, Toy Story, Sweet November and Brokeback Mountain, as well as the theme song for the television series Felicity.[7][14][37]
Personal life
[edit]Klein and Joni Mitchell were married in November 1982,[6][1][7] and divorced in 1994.[6][1][7] In 2006, Klein married Luciana Souza.[6][18] Klein and Souza have one son, Noah.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Larry Klein". All Music. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ Chinen, Nate; Pareles, Jon (25 February 2013). "Albums From Atoms for Peace, Ana Moura and Antonio Sanchez". New York Times. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Three Producers, One Goal: Great Sound". NPR.org. NPR. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ a b "This innovative producer is more than just a ladies' man". M Music & Musicians Magazine. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Ouellette, Dan (5 February 2019). "Larry Klein Talks Grammy Producer of the Year Nomination, How He Picks Projects". Billboard. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Larry Klein". Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Larry Klein" (PDF). In the Hot Seat with Larry LeBlanc. Archived from the original on 31 July 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ a b c "Larry Klein Is Doing It All". MIX. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Past Winners Search". Grammy. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Klein, Larry (13 March 2020). "Legendary producer Larry Klein: my 12 career-defining records". Music Radar. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Producer/musician's journey brings him home". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ Weller, Sheila (2008). Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon—And the Journey of a Generation. New York: Atria Books. p. 438. ISBN 9780743491471.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Herbie Hancock and Joni Mitchell: Music & Lyrics". JazzTimes. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Larry Klein". Studio Expresso. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ a b Parys, Bryan (8 February 2019). "Larry Klein Breaks Down His Career in 15 Tracks". Berklee. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "Larry Klein". All Music. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Luciana Souza Distill Everything" (PDF). Downbeat. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ a b c "Luciana Souza: Meet the New Bossa". JazzTimes. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Herbie Hancock rides on the 'River'". CNN Entertainment. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Slant Magazine review". Slantmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
- ^ "Blues CD: Walter Becker, Circus Money". The Guardian. 2008-07-17. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12.
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan (December 1, 2008). "Peyroux Goes 'Bare' On New Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 19, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ^ "Grammys To Beyonce: "I'mma Let You Finish"". American Songwriter. 3 December 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "In Conversation With Legendary Producer Larry Klein". Huffington Post. 4 May 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Past Winners Search". Grammy. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ a b c "Larry Klein's Strange Cargo With Universal Music Unveils First Signing". Broadway World. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ Evans, Kendall (10 March 2014). "Album Review: House of Lies Soundtrack". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "Tenor Alfie Boe goes coolly contemporary at Birmingham LG Arena". Birmingham Mail. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Great minds come together for breakup". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Bobby Bazini To Release Debut U.S. Album "Where I Belong" On August 12". PR Newswire. August 5, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ "Map of The Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro: A Conversation and Special Performance". Grammy Museum. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ Fusilli, Jim (31 August 2015). "'Freedom & Surrender' by Lizz Wright Review". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ Ayers, Mike (16 June 2016). "Listen to Kandace Springs's 'Deep' New Song 'Neither Old Nor Young'". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ Velez, Jennifer. "Superproducer Larry Klein Releases Two New Tracks From Forthcoming Album, 'Same Sky'". Grammy.com. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "Past Winners Search". Grammy. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ "Larry Klein Reflects On Tracking Herbie Hancock's 'River' Album". MIX. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- ^ Brungardt, Leah. "An Interview With The Songwriter Extraordinaire, LARRY KLEIN on Working With JONI Mitchell, His Latest Projects and More!". All Access Music. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
External links
[edit]Larry Klein
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Upbringing in Southern California
Larry Klein was raised in Monterey Park, a suburb in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California, outside Los Angeles.[6][7] He grew up in a Jewish household, attending Hebrew school and celebrating his bar mitzvah in a Conservative synagogue.[8] His parents, Richard and Diane Klein, provided a supportive environment; his father worked as an aeronautical engineer on space projects, including the Viking Mars landings and early Mars probes, while his mother was a homemaker.[6][8][7] The family's eclectic record collection introduced Klein to a wide range of music from an early age, including jazz artists like Nat King Cole and Wes Montgomery, pop singers such as Frank Sinatra and Connie Francis, and classical works.[6][7] This exposure sparked his interest in music, which deepened when he encountered The Beatles' album Rubber Soul in 1965, inspiring him to pursue music as a career.[8][7] Although neither parent was a musician, their encouragement allowed Klein to explore creative outlets in the culturally vibrant Southern California environment of the 1960s and 1970s.[7] Klein's early schooling took place in local public institutions, including a middle school that evolved into a high school with a developing music department aimed at college-level standards.[7] He graduated high school a year early by attending summer sessions, reflecting his drive to advance his education.[7] This period laid the foundation for his transition into formal musical studies, setting the stage for his prodigious development in the region's thriving arts scene.[2][9]Musical training and early influences
Larry Klein was born in 1956 in Monterey Park, California, in the San Gabriel Valley outside Los Angeles, where he grew up in a family supportive of his musical interests; his father worked as an aeronautical engineer on projects including satellite and space missions like the Viking Mars landings.[6] Exposed early to a diverse range of music through his parents' record collection, which included artists such as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Wes Montgomery, as well as CTI label releases and the Beatles' early work, Klein developed a broad appreciation for jazz, pop, and rock that shaped his foundational tastes.[6] Klein began his formal musical training in seventh grade through the after-school program at the Community Schools of the University of Southern California (now part of the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts), where he studied music theory and composition under university-level professors using texts like Paul Hindemith's theory book.[6][9] This program, which he attended from middle school through high school, allowed him to interact with college students and faculty, accelerating his development on piano and other instruments while fostering a deep interest in jazz; it was here, around 1971, that he met fellow student and future jazz pianist Billy Childs, with whom he shared a passion for improvisation and composition.[3] Complementing this, Klein took private lessons on bass guitar and jazz harmony from instructor Herb Mickman between 1971 and 1975, honing his skills as a bassist during his teenage years.[6] A pivotal moment came at age 16 when Klein attended a performance by jazz pianist Bill Evans at the Playboy Club in Los Angeles, an experience he later described as transformative, igniting his aspiration to become a professional jazz bassist.[6] This epiphany built on earlier inspirations from Evans' 1968 Montreux Jazz Festival recordings, which he encountered as a mid-teen, and was reinforced by influences such as bassist Eddie Gómez, drummer Jack DeJohnette, and the rhythmic innovations of reggae music.[10] After graduating high school early, Klein enrolled at California State University, Los Angeles, where he continued his studies while beginning to gig locally with jazz and Latin ensembles, applying his training in real-world settings.[2]Career as a bassist
Jazz and Latin tours in the 1970s
In the mid-1970s, while still a student at California State University, Los Angeles, Larry Klein began his professional career as a bassist by sitting in with local jazz and Latin ensembles, which quickly led to extensive touring opportunities. His breakthrough came with nearly five years on the road as a sideman with prominent jazz figures, including trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, saxophonist Wayne Shorter, and tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson. These tours exposed Klein to high-level improvisation and ensemble playing in the post-bop and fusion scenes, honing his skills on both acoustic and electric bass. A notable highlight was his performance with Hubbard at the 1978 Pori Jazz Festival in Finland, where Klein delivered a standout bass solo showcasing his technical prowess and melodic invention.[2][6][11] Klein's involvement in Latin music during this period centered on his work with percussionist Willie Bobo, a pioneer in Latin jazz whose bands blended Afro-Cuban rhythms with bebop influences. Klein toured extensively with Bobo starting around 1975, contributing to the group's dynamic grooves on tracks that fused conga-driven percussion with jazz harmonies. This stint, part of the same five-year touring phase, immersed Klein in Latin percussion patterns and clave rhythms, broadening his stylistic range beyond straight-ahead jazz. Bobo's ensembles often featured vibrant live sets that highlighted Klein's ability to lock in with complex polyrhythms, as heard in recordings from the era that captured the band's energetic performances.[2][12][13] Additionally, Klein supported jazz vocalist Carmen McRae on tours throughout the late 1970s, providing steady bass lines for her sophisticated interpretations of standards and originals. McRae's sets demanded versatility, from swinging ballads to up-tempo swings, and Klein's accompaniment helped underscore her emotive phrasing during international engagements. These experiences with McRae, alongside his work with Hubbard and others, solidified Klein's reputation as a reliable first-call bassist in the jazz world, bridging traditional and emerging fusion elements before transitioning to session work in the 1980s.[6][12][14]Session work with rock and pop artists in the 1980s
In the 1980s, Larry Klein emerged as a prominent session bassist in the rock and pop genres, lending his versatile fretless and electric bass lines to several high-profile albums by established artists. His contributions often emphasized melodic support and subtle groove, bridging jazz influences with mainstream production. Klein's work during this period helped define the sound of late-decade hits, showcasing his ability to collaborate with producers like Daniel Lanois and Mike Campbell.[15] One of Klein's notable early 1980s sessions was on Don Henley's sophomore solo album Building the Perfect Beast (1984), where he played bass on the lead single "The Boys of Summer," a track that reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male. Klein's bass part, recorded with heavy compression on a fretless bass, provided a fluid, atmospheric foundation that complemented the song's nostalgic tone. He continued this collaboration with Henley on the 1989 album The End of the Innocence, contributing bass to the title track and "The Last Worthless Evening," both of which highlighted his precise, supportive phrasing amid lush arrangements; the album topped the Billboard 200 and sold over six million copies in the U.S.[16][17][18] Klein's session work extended to international rock icons, including Peter Gabriel's commercial breakthrough So (1986), on which he shared bass duties with Tony Levin across multiple tracks, such as "Red Rain" and "In Your Eyes," adding warm, dynamic undertones to the album's world-pop fusion; So peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and featured five singles. Similarly, on Robbie Robertson's self-titled solo debut (1987), Klein played bass on songs like "Showdown at Big Sky" and "Hell's Half Acre," enhancing the album's cinematic roots-rock vibe under Lanois's production; the record reached number 34 on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male.[19][20] Toward the decade's end, Klein supported emerging pop and alternative acts, playing bass on Tracy Chapman's self-titled debut (1988), including the Grammy-winning single "Fast Car," where his understated lines underscored the song's intimate folk-rock narrative; the album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. He also contributed to Michael Penn's March (1989), providing bass on tracks like "No Myth" and "Cupid's Got a Brand New Gun," bolstering the album's sophisticated pop arrangements; "No Myth" became a top-30 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. These sessions solidified Klein's reputation as a reliable collaborator in Los Angeles studios, often working alongside top session drummers and guitarists.[21][22][23]Relationship with Joni Mitchell
Marriage and personal partnership
Larry Klein met Joni Mitchell in 1981 while serving as the bassist on her album Wild Things Run Fast, where their professional collaboration quickly evolved into a personal relationship.[24][7] They married in November 1982, shortly after the album's release, and shared a deep intellectual and creative connection, often engaging in extended conversations on diverse topics.[8][24] The couple settled in Malibu, California, where they balanced music production with personal pursuits like painting, fostering a partnership marked by mutual inspiration and shared laughter during recording sessions.[24] Their marriage faced significant challenges, including a miscarriage in 1985 during Mitchell's first trimester of pregnancy, which strained their relationship as they navigated the emotional aftermath.[25] Additionally, a near-fatal car accident in 1985 added to the difficulties they encountered together.[24] Despite these hardships, Klein described their early bond as profound, noting, "Joni and I hit it off pretty good from the get-go… We just liked each other so much and loved being around each other."[24] The couple separated amicably in the early 1990s and divorced in 1994 after 12 years of marriage.[8][24] Post-divorce, Klein and Mitchell maintained a close, familial relationship, with Klein continuing to support her through personal challenges, including her 2015 brain aneurysm.[26] He expressed enduring affection, stating, "I’m very grateful that I can do whatever I possibly can to help her and let her know how much I love her," highlighting the lasting personal partnership beyond their romantic union.[26] In 2006, Klein married Brazilian jazz singer Luciana Souza, with whom he has a son, Noah, but his connection with Mitchell remained a significant aspect of his personal life.[7][27]Collaborative musical contributions
Larry Klein first collaborated with Joni Mitchell as a session bassist on her 1982 album Wild Things Run Fast, where he contributed bass lines and rhythmic arrangements to tracks like "Chinese Cafe/Unchained Melody," marking the beginning of their professional partnership that soon intertwined with their personal relationship.[28] Their marriage in 1982 further deepened this collaboration, leading Klein to take on expanded roles in subsequent projects.[6] On Dog Eat Dog (1985), Klein co-produced most tracks alongside Mitchell and Thomas Dolby, while also performing on bass and keyboards, including on the title track, which reflected their shared interest in synthesizing pop, jazz, and electronic elements during a period of domestic stability.[29] This album showcased Klein's influence in broadening Mitchell's sound with subtle synth textures and rhythmic drive, as he played a more prominent instrumental role than on prior releases.[13] Klein's contributions continued to evolve on Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm (1988), where he co-produced the entire album, provided bass, and co-wrote the track "The Tea Leaf Prophecy (Lay Down Your Arms)," a poignant duet with Willie Nelson that explored themes of pacifism and personal reflection.[30] Recorded across multiple studios in England and Los Angeles, the project highlighted their core trio dynamic with guitarist Michael Landau, emphasizing acoustic intimacy amid orchestral flourishes. By Night Ride Home (1991), Klein's bass work intertwined closely with Mitchell's jazz-inflected guitar phrasings, co-producing the album and contributing to its meditative, acoustic focus during sessions in Maui, which captured a sense of global transition.[31] This release, their final Geffen collaboration before their 1994 divorce, underscored Klein's empathetic production style in supporting Mitchell's return to guitar-centric songwriting.[32] Even after their separation, Klein co-produced Mitchell's Turbulent Indigo (1994), earning a Grammy Award for Best Pop Album in 1996; the album chronicled the end of their marriage through introspective tracks like "Not to Blame," with Klein handling keyboards and percussion to enhance its emotional depth.[6] Their post-divorce partnership persisted on Both Sides Now (2000), a standards reinterpretation where Klein co-produced and arranged orchestral elements, securing another Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, and on Travelogue (2002), a double-disc orchestral reimagining of Mitchell's catalog that he co-produced and musically directed.[33] These later works demonstrated Klein's enduring role in elevating Mitchell's legacy through sophisticated arrangements and production, blending her folk roots with jazz and classical influences.[34]Production career
Early productions (1980s–1994)
Klein's production career emerged in the early 1980s, initially intertwined with his personal and musical partnership with Joni Mitchell. Their first joint effort was the 1982 album Wild Things Run Fast, which Klein co-produced, marking his transition from session bassist to a more hands-on role in the studio. This project introduced electronic elements and a pop-oriented sound to Mitchell's work, reflecting Klein's interest in blending jazz influences with contemporary production techniques.[2][10] By the mid-1980s, Klein expanded his production scope beyond Mitchell. In 1985, he earned his first solo production credit on Benjamin Orr's The Lace, the Cars frontman's debut solo album, where he shaped a polished AOR sound featuring tracks like "Stay the Night." That same year, Klein co-produced Mitchell's Dog Eat Dog, collaborating with Thomas Dolby to incorporate innovative digital tools such as the Fairlight CMI sampler, which added a futuristic edge to the album's jazz-pop fusion. These efforts highlighted Klein's growing reputation for integrating technology with organic instrumentation.[2][13][12] The late 1980s saw Klein solidify his production style through diverse projects. He produced Mitchell's 1988 album Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm, emphasizing her vocal intimacy amid layered arrangements with guests like Willie Nelson and Tom Petty. Branching out, Klein helmed the self-titled 1989 debut of The Innocence Mission, capturing the band's ethereal folk-rock essence in recordings made at Mitchell's home studio. He also co-produced select tracks on Starship's 1989 album Love Among the Cannibals, contributing to its arena-rock polish alongside engineer Mike Shipley.[12][13][35] Entering the early 1990s, Klein continued his collaborative streak with Mitchell on Night Ride Home (1991), co-producing an acoustic-leaning record that evoked intimate live performances through subtle jazz phrasing and his five-string bass work. He extended his folk sensibilities to produce The Innocence Mission's follow-up Umbrella (1991), maintaining the group's delicate, introspective vibe. In 1992, Klein co-produced Shawn Colvin's Fat City, blending her confessional songwriting with rootsy arrangements that earned critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. His tenure with Mitchell concluded with the co-production of Turbulent Indigo (1994), a raw exploration of their dissolving marriage that won two Grammys, including Album of the Year, underscoring Klein's ability to channel personal tension into artistic depth.[35][13][2]Mid-career highlights and Grammy wins (1995–2010)
During the mid-1990s, Larry Klein solidified his reputation as a producer through collaborations that blended jazz, pop, and orchestral elements, often working with female vocalists to craft intimate, textured soundscapes. One notable project was his production of Holly Cole's 1997 album Dark Dear Heart, where he emphasized the singer's cabaret-style delivery with subtle arrangements featuring pedal steel guitar and atmospheric keyboards, earning praise for its emotional depth and restraint.[36][37] Klein's partnership with his ex-wife Joni Mitchell continued to yield critical acclaim, culminating in Grammy recognition. He co-produced Mitchell's 2000 standards album Both Sides Now, reimagining classic songs like "A Case of You" and "Stormy Weather" with lush orchestral arrangements conducted by Vince Mendoza, which highlighted Mitchell's evolving vocal timbre. The album's sophisticated production, blending big-band swing with contemporary jazz, won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2001.[38][5] In the mid-2000s, Klein expanded his scope to jazz-infused pop and bossa nova, producing Madeleine Peyroux's breakthrough 2004 album Careless Love. Drawing on Peyroux's Billie Holiday-esque phrasing, Klein crafted a rootsy yet modern sound with acoustic guitars and brushed drums, propelling tracks like "Don't Wait Too Long" to commercial success and establishing Peyroux as a major artist. He followed this with her 2006 follow-up Half the Perfect World, incorporating guest appearances from artists like Willie Nelson and k.d. lang to enhance its eclectic, heartfelt vibe.[12][39] A career pinnacle came in 2007 when Klein co-produced Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters, a tribute to Mitchell featuring vocalists such as Norah Jones, Tina Turner, and Leonard Cohen. Klein's arrangements fused Hancock's electric piano with orchestral swells and improvisational jazz, creating a seamless homage that transcended genre boundaries. The album achieved unprecedented acclaim, winning two Grammy Awards in 2008: Album of the Year—the first for a jazz album in nearly 50 years—and Best Contemporary Jazz Album.[40][5] Klein's production work during this era also included innovative forays into other styles, such as Luciana Souza's 2007 bossa nova collection The New Bossa Nova, where he layered Souza's ethereal vocals over minimalist percussion and nylon-string guitars to evoke Brazil's mid-20th-century sound. In 2008, he co-wrote and produced Walter Becker's solo album Circus Money, infusing Steely Dan's signature sophistication with reggae rhythms and electronic textures on tracks like "Bob's House," showcasing Klein's versatility in blending organic and synthetic elements. These projects underscored his role in bridging jazz improvisation with pop accessibility, contributing to his four Grammy wins by 2010.[35][41]Recent projects and label initiatives (2011–present)
In 2011, Klein founded Strange Cargo, an artist-focused imprint in partnership with Universal Music Group and Decca Records, dedicated to releasing music from eclectic singer-songwriters and genre-blending talents. The label's inaugural release was Norwegian artist Thomas Dybdahl's album Songs, which Klein co-produced and which introduced Dybdahl to U.S. audiences with its introspective folk-pop sound. Strange Cargo emphasized organic, narrative-driven recordings, often incorporating jazz and acoustic elements to highlight vocalists and storytellers.[42][43] The imprint's early catalog expanded with Dybdahl's follow-up What's Left Is Forever in 2013, again produced by Klein, featuring lush arrangements and collaborations that blended indie rock with orchestral textures. That same year, Klein produced Madeleine Peyroux's The Blue Room for Strange Cargo, a covers album reinterpreting standards with Peyroux's signature husky vocals and minimalist jazz instrumentation. In 2014, the label issued the soundtrack for the Showtime series House of Lies, curated and produced by Klein alongside music supervisor Chris Douridas, incorporating a mix of contemporary and classic tracks to underscore the show's satirical tone. Additional Strange Cargo highlights included Bruce Cockburn's career-spanning box set Rumours of Glory in 2014, produced by Klein, which chronicled the Canadian folk-rock icon's evolution through four decades of socially conscious songwriting.[44] Beyond label efforts, Klein's production work from 2015 onward maintained his reputation for elevating diverse voices. He produced Melody Gardot's Currency of Man in 2015, an album addressing social justice themes with Gardot's sultry jazz phrasing backed by a full orchestra, earning critical praise for its bold lyricism. The following year, Klein helmed Billy Childs' Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro, a collaborative tribute featuring artists like Renee Fleming and Chris Botti, which reinterpreted Nyro's songbook through jazz and classical lenses and received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album. In 2017, he produced Jude Johnstone's A Woman's Work, a poignant collection of piano-driven ballads exploring resilience and relationships. Klein continued with Peyroux on her 2018 Strange Cargo release Anthem, a socially charged set blending blues, folk, and reggae influences, and Jon Regen's Higher Ground in 2019, a soulful piano trio effort that showcased Regen's emotive songcraft. Klein's output in the 2020s reflected a return to intimate, reflective projects amid global challenges. He reunited with Gardot for Sunset in the Blue in 2020, recorded at Abbey Road Studios with orchestral arrangements that evoked classic jazz sophistication while incorporating bossa nova and string sections for a sense of wistful escapism. A major highlight was his 2022 production of Here It Is: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen on Blue Note Records, honoring his longtime friend with jazz reinterpretations of 12 Cohen songs performed by artists including Norah Jones, Peter Gabriel, Sarah McLachlan, and Bill Frisell; the album featured a core ensemble led by alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins and bassist Scott Colley, emphasizing Cohen's poetic depth through improvisational frameworks. In 2025, Klein produced Rebecca Pidgeon's Slingshot, a genre-spanning collection of originals co-written with Pidgeon, blending folk, jazz, and country elements—including a duet with her husband David Mamet—that earned a Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. These endeavors underscore Klein's ongoing commitment to fostering artistic innovation and emotional authenticity in contemporary music.[45][46][47]Awards and honors
Grammy Awards and nominations
Larry Klein has received four Grammy Awards, primarily for his production work on albums by Joni Mitchell and Herbie Hancock, and has earned multiple nominations across categories such as Producer of the Year, Non-Classical.[5] His contributions to jazz, pop, and contemporary vocal projects have been recognized by the Recording Academy, highlighting his role in blending genres and elevating artists' recordings.[2] Klein's Grammy achievements span from the mid-1990s to recent years, with nominations reflecting his ongoing influence as a producer and arranger.[48] The following table summarizes Klein's known Grammy wins and nominations, based on official Recording Academy records and verified announcements:| Year | Category | Work/Artist | Outcome | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Best Pop Album | Turbulent Indigo (Joni Mitchell, producer) | Win | [5] |
| 2001 | Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album | Both Sides Now (Joni Mitchell, producer) | Win | [5] |
| 2008 | Album of the Year | River: The Joni Letters (Herbie Hancock, producer) | Win | [48] |
| 2008 | Best Contemporary Jazz Album | River: The Joni Letters (Herbie Hancock, producer) | Win | [48] |
| 2010 | Producer of the Year, Non-Classical | Various works, including My One and Only Thrill (Melody Gardot) | Nomination | [4] |
| 2016 | Producer of the Year, Non-Classical | Various works | Nomination | [49] |
| 2017 | Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals | "Somewhere (Dirty Blvd.) (Extended Version)" (arranger, from Leonard Cohen tribute) | Nomination | [50] |
| 2019 | Producer of the Year, Non-Classical | Various works, including The Book of Longing (Luciana Souza) and Anthem (Madeleine Peyroux) | Nomination | [5] |
| 2025 | Best Music Film | The Greatest Night in Pop (video producer) | Nomination | [51] |
Other industry recognitions
In addition to his Grammy achievements, Klein received a Latin Grammy nomination in 2022 for producing the self-titled debut album by Brazilian duo Cande Y Paulo, which was nominated for Best New Artist.[2] Klein has been lauded by jazz legend Stanley Clarke as one of the great bass players who have "moved beyond the bass," highlighting his innovative approach to the instrument.[2] He is widely regarded as one of the premier bassists and musicians globally, with a reputation built on his versatile session work across jazz, rock, and pop genres since the late 1970s.[2] In 2012, Universal Music Group established Klein's own imprint, Strange Cargo (under Decca), enabling him to sign and develop emerging artists, a testament to his standing as a tastemaker in the industry.[35]Selected credits and discography
Production credits
Larry Klein's production credits encompass over a century of albums spanning jazz, pop, folk, and world music, often emphasizing intimate arrangements and collaborative songwriting. His work frequently involves co-production with artists, blending acoustic elements with innovative instrumentation to highlight vocal performances and thematic depth. Notable collaborations include long-term partnerships with Joni Mitchell and Herbie Hancock, as well as breakthrough projects for emerging talents.[53][35] Key examples of his production highlights, selected for their artistic and commercial impact, are outlined below. These represent seminal contributions rather than an exhaustive discography.| Artist | Album Title | Year | Role and Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Orr | The Lace | 1986 | Co-producer with Mike Shipley; featured multi-instrumental contributions from Klein, including the hit single "Stay the Night," marking an early pop-rock success.[35] |
| Joni Mitchell | Night Ride Home | 1991 | Producer and co-arranger; integrated sequenced and live rhythms to create a textured, introspective sound reflective of Mitchell's personal evolution.[35][54] |
| Joni Mitchell | Turbulent Indigo | 1994 | Producer; captured the emotional intensity of Mitchell's divorce through raw lyricism, bolstered by saxophonist Wayne Shorter's contributions, earning critical acclaim.[35] |
| Madeleine Peyroux | Careless Love | 2004 | Producer; guided Peyroux's development as a songwriter, co-writing the stylistic hit "Don't Wait Too Long," which propelled the album's jazz-infused revival success.[35] |
| Herbie Hancock | River: The Joni Letters | 2007 | Producer; reimagined Mitchell's catalog with elite jazz musicians, resulting in an Album of the Year Grammy win for its innovative fusion of standards and improvisation.[35] |
| Tracy Chapman | Our Bright Future | 2008 | Co-producer; emphasized Chapman's intimate vocals with a tight ensemble of session players, delivering socially conscious folk-rock with understated power.[35] |
| Walter Becker | Circus Money | 2008 | Co-producer and co-writer; drew reggae influences into Becker's solo work, fostering a close creative bond and showcasing Klein's bass expertise.[35] |
| Herbie Hancock | The Imagine Project | 2010 | Producer; assembled global artists to trace human themes through spontaneous sessions in Paris, earning a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.[35] |
| Ana Moura | Desfado | 2013 | Producer; expanded fado boundaries with eclectic instrumentation, achieving Portugal's best-selling artist album status and international recognition.[35] |
| Thomas Dybdahl | What's Left Is Forever | 2013 | Producer and co-writer (with David Baerwald); debuted on Klein's imprint label, revitalizing Dybdahl's sound with fresh, introspective indie-folk elements.[35] |
| Billy Childs | Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro | 2014 | Producer; curated diverse vocalists for a tribute to Nyro's songbook, blending jazz orchestration with pop sensibilities for a Grammy-nominated jazz project.[35] |
| Lang Lang | New York Rhapsody | 2016 | Producer and arranger; bridged classical piano with pop guests like Stevie Wonder, earning a Grammy nomination for its genre-blending arrangements.[35] |
| Various Artists | Here It Is: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen | 2022 | Producer; assembled jazz interpretations of Cohen's songs with artists including Sarah McLachlan, Kurt Elling, and Bill Frisell, released on Blue Note Records.[46] |

