Gary Italiaander Reflections

Annotation

Legendary performer, Larry Adler was born on 10th February 1914 in Baltimore USA. Larry gave the harmonica a place on the concert platform for the first time, his name being synonymous with the instrument. Widely acknowledged as one of ther world's most skilled players, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Malcolm Arnold, Darius Milhaud and Arthur Benjamin composed works for him. George and Ira Gershwin were two of his closest friends. In celebration of his extraordinary life, photographer Gary Italiaander, who was a personal friend, has written this amazing book that includes previously unseen portraits as well as memories by his colleagues, family and friends including Sir Michael Parkinson, Itzhak Perlman and more. Well known musicians including Sting, Sir Elton John, Kate Bush, Cher, and Jon Bon Jovi took part in the award winning CD,The Glory of Gershwin, produced by Sir George Martin in celebration of Larry's 80th birthday. 'Of course Larry was a compulsive name-dropper but he really did know the greatest of people and for me it was wonderful to work with such a legend'. Sir George Martin, Producer The Glory of Gershwin. '...Larry had agreed to perform at Carnegie Hall with a full orchestra, playing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. An almost unbelievable feat, except I was there in the wings, open mouthed like the rest of the audience'. Sting.