Larry Steen, a master of the electric bass who coined the term "World Jazz" for his style because of its World Music elements, ranks among the instrument's strongest contemporary practitioners. His academic path included studies at Berklee from 1982 to 1984, the University of Miami between 1985 and 1987, and later Cal Arts. Early live work featured collaborations with Jon Hendricks, Billy Eckstine, and Ira Sullivan. After settling in the Los Angeles region, he established himself as a session player, performed with the Brandeis-Bardin International Klezmer Ensemble, contributed to recordings by Frank Strazzeri and Bill Perkins for the Stan Kenton "Back To Balboa" tribute, and took part in concerts alongside an array of jazz and pop figures. The latter group encompassed Mose Allison, Ernie Watts, Brandon Fields, Eric Marienthal, Louie Bellson, Bob Sheppard, Bill Cunliffe, and Mel Torme. His first album as bandleader, First Move, appeared in 1996.
