Despite choosing the humble harmonica as his main instrument, Larry Adler's
talent and huge personality led to an extraordinary life and 70-year career that
saw him play for Al Capone, work with Fred Astaire, George Gershwin and Elton
John and even have an affair with Ingrid Bergman. Originally he played piano as
a child, but when a German man in his Baltimore neighbourhood started a group of
mouth organ players, he naturally picked up the technique and was soon winning
talent contests and playing professionally by the age of 14. He ran away to New
York soon after, and performed ...