Larry Carlton is a jazz guitarist who learned to play guitar at six years old. He started playing jazz in high school, influenced by blues guitarist B.B. King and jazz saxophonist John Coltrane. He released his first LP in 1968, titled "With a Little Help From My Friends ". From 1971 to 1976 he played with the jazz-rock group The Crusaders , after which he had a full-fledged solo career. He signed with Warner Brothers records in 1977, and produced six solo albums from 1978 to 1984. He had won four Grammys for his performances and compositions.

In 1985 he signed with MCA Master Series for an acoustic jazz album. The result was "Alone, But Never Alone ". From 1985 to 1990 Carlton did various solo projects, winning another Grammy. In 1991 he started to record a blues album, but had to delay the project because of a demand for another jazz offering. "Renegade Gentleman " was finally released in 1993. From 1994 to 1997 Carlton did various tours and released a duet album with guitarist Lee Ritenour . In 1997 he took Ritenour's place in the smooth jazz quartet "Fourplay", in which he is playing at the time this article was written.