Larry Carlton’s Career and Net Worth

Larry Carlton is an American jazz, blues, pop and rock guitarist with a net worth of $2 million. Born in Torrance, California in 1948, Carlton began learning to play guitar at the young age of six under the guidance of Slim Edwards. In high school, he developed a love for jazz and was influenced by Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Barney Kessel and B.B. King. Carlton also cites John Coltrane as a notable influence.

Before embarking on a solo career, Carlton became one of the most in-demand studio musicians of the past three decades. His extensive catalog of work includes film soundtracks, television themes and contributions to over 100 gold albums. During the ’70s and early ’80s, Carlton recorded as many as 500 sessions a year and worked with artists such as Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, The Four Tops, Christopher Cross and Barbra Streisand.

In 1988, Carlton was the victim of a random act of violence, shot in the throat outside his private studio in California. Despite the trauma, he quickly recovered and completed his electric guitar LP On Solid Ground by the end of that year. Carlton continued to work with the electric guitar in 1991 when he began recording a blues album, but delayed the project to meet demand for a more commercially-oriented jazz offering, resulting in Kid Gloves.

Carlton has released solo albums and even joined Steely Dan as a guest guitarist for six dates on tour in 2009. He married contemporary Christian music artist Michele Pillar in 1987 and is the father of Katy Carlton and bass player Travis Carlton.

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