"Nickty" as friends called him,
attended Lovejoy Public Schools in Brooklyn, Illinois, and graduated from
Lovejoy High
School in 1956. He also attended Forest Park Community College and received his Associates Degree in Music. He was an
accomplished athlete who participated in baseball, basketball, and tennis. Larry was also an active member of the Lovejoy
Alumni Association. While attending the public schools of Brooklyn, he gained the advantage of being taught by the Great
Trumpeteer and Band Leader, George Hudson. At the age of fifteen, he had the good fortune of meeting Charley Parker who
influenced his musical career.
Leo Gooden, owner of the the East Saint Louis "Blue Note Club, found him playing in a Rock & Roll group and immediately
recognized his talent as a jazz artist. Larry was an accomplished musician whoplayed the trumpet, flute and piano. He was
featured in "Ebony" magazine while in his twenties as an up and coming artist. He recorded his first album in 1958 at the
age of twenty three with "Leo's Five" and is credited with writing the instrumental selection "Frederick's Dream" on the album
after his son Frederick told him of his dream. As a professional trumpet player, Larry performed and traveled with the "Ike
and Tina Turner Revue". He also played with distinguished musicians such as Count Bassie, Miles Davis, Fontella Bass and
the great baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett who created the "World Jazz Saxophone Quartet". Larry played the Apollo
Theater and was once featured on the New Year's Eve Regis Philbin Show. He travelled extensively throughout New York,
Chicago, California and Europe.
Larry was highly knowledgeable of African and Egyptian History and encouraged all whom he encountered to be aware of
African Heritage. He was a very articulate person who encouraged all, especially his family, to do the right thing.
School in 1956. He also attended Forest Park Community College and received his Associates Degree in Music. He was an
accomplished athlete who participated in baseball, basketball, and tennis. Larry was also an active member of the Lovejoy
Alumni Association. While attending the public schools of Brooklyn, he gained the advantage of being taught by the Great
Trumpeteer and Band Leader, George Hudson. At the age of fifteen, he had the good fortune of meeting Charley Parker who
influenced his musical career.
Leo Gooden, owner of the the East Saint Louis "Blue Note Club, found him playing in a Rock & Roll group and immediately
recognized his talent as a jazz artist. Larry was an accomplished musician whoplayed the trumpet, flute and piano. He was
featured in "Ebony" magazine while in his twenties as an up and coming artist. He recorded his first album in 1958 at the
age of twenty three with "Leo's Five" and is credited with writing the instrumental selection "Frederick's Dream" on the album
after his son Frederick told him of his dream. As a professional trumpet player, Larry performed and traveled with the "Ike
and Tina Turner Revue". He also played with distinguished musicians such as Count Bassie, Miles Davis, Fontella Bass and
the great baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett who created the "World Jazz Saxophone Quartet". Larry played the Apollo
Theater and was once featured on the New Year's Eve Regis Philbin Show. He travelled extensively throughout New York,
Chicago, California and Europe.
Larry was highly knowledgeable of African and Egyptian History and encouraged all whom he encountered to be aware of
African Heritage. He was a very articulate person who encouraged all, especially his family, to do the right thing.
| " A Note From Larry"
I began to give up on me, When I took a look at reality. I said what am I still trying for- Lord you don't need me anymore It must have been something that I had done to make you choose another one Why am I feeling this rage? I know I'm losing my place. Then you told me I still want you- I still need you nobody else can do what I want you to do- That's why I created you. Oh oh I am the one who knows who you are. I'll take you near and I'll take you far. I'll never leave you alone - you'll never be on your own. Now don't worry, I won't forget - I've never broken a promise yet. You must be there to see - that you are important to me. I still want you and I still need you, nobody else can do what I want you to do - That's why I created you, |
| Larry "Nickty"
Prothro 1/15/1936 - 10/05/2001 |
