“Start Something Groovy”: How Session Giant Larry Mitchell Won Over Nile Rodgers, Tracy Chapman & Steve Vai

Legendary session guitarist Larry Mitchell is a born-and-bred New Yorker with a bold personality that helped him rise from Queens to become one of the most sought-after studio players in the music industry.

While casual listeners might not immediately recognize his name, millions have undoubtedly heard his guitar work on records by Ric Ocasek, Tracy Chapman, and Billy Squier.

His passion for music began in childhood when he used to strum a broom to Elvis Presley tracks. His development as a musician was further fueled by his friendships with fellow New York guitarists Steve Stevens (guitarist for Billy Idol), Jon Levin (from Dokken), and Jeff Thall (who worked with Bryan Ferry). Shortly after starting to pick up session work in Manhattan, a chance meeting with Nile Rodgers landed him a recording gig on Ric Ocasek’s 1991 album Fireball Zone.

After bumping into Nile Rodgers at the China Club one evening, the guitarist jumped at the opportunity to work together, putting his name on the industry map. Since Ric Ocasek and Tracy Chapman shared the same management team, Larry Mitchell was recommended when Tracy Chapman was looking for a guitar player with a rock edge (following Vernon Reid's appearance on her 1992 single "Bang Bang Bang").

By 2008, Larry Mitchell had become a Grammy-winning producer (for Johnny Whitehorse’s 2007 album Totemic Flute Chants) and an official Ibanez endorser. During the 100th-anniversary celebration for Ibanez in Nagoya, Japan, in May 2008, he connected with fellow Ibanez artist Steve Vai.

The two guitarists bonded over pre-show warm-up routines and life, developing a lasting friendship. Larry Mitchell went on to open for Steve Vai during his 2023 and 2024 tours, joining him on stage for impromptu jams. Working alongside Steve Vai taught him to embrace the flow, freedom, and spiritual expression of playing guitar while having genuine fun on stage.

Today, Larry Mitchell continues to produce music and tour internationally. Looking back on his career with gratitude, he reflects that every step led him to where he is today—though he jokingly admits his only minor regret is not buying a vintage 'Burst Gibson Les Paul back in the late 1980s.