– After catapulting to smooth jazz success in the United States with two Top-20 Billboard chart singles and two #1 New York Music Chart singles from his CD, After the Night, Canadian saxophonist Walle Larsson is looking to build on his success with the release of his new CD, One Step Closer. The CD, which was recorded in Los Angeles, Stockholm and Winnipeg, is a collaborative effort. This time around, Larsson has teamed up with a host of top-notch international talent such as acclaimed guitarist and producer Steve Oliver, Swedish composer, producer and instrumentalist Jonathan Fritzen and legendary keyboardist Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra fame. Renowned Los Angeles-based studio musicians including Tony Moore (drums) and Darryl Williams (bass) also appear on the album, which builds on the smooth, nuanced sound that Larsson showcased on After the Night. “I’m extremely excited to have joined forces with all these great producers and musicians,” said Larsson, who’s based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. “As good as After the Night was, I expect the quality of One Step Closer to be even better.” The initial release of One Step Closer will take place June 5th in Reno, Nevada, at John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino Resort. Following that, Larsson will give his home town crowd a taste of the new CD when he opens for George Benson at The Winnipeg Jazz Festival, which will run from June 13 to 23. The official Canadian release of One Step Closer will take place in Winnipeg on July 14th at The Lyric Theatre in Assiniboine Park at7:30 in a concert that’s free to the public. Larsson’s Canadian release of One Step Closer at The Lyric Theatre on July 14th will jump start an eight-week smooth jazz series that spans July and August. Over that time, Larsson and his band will back internationally acclaimed artists including vocalist/keyboardist Carol Welsman, keyboardist Brian Simpson, Jonathan Fritzen, guitarist Nick Colionne and gutitarist / vocalist Steve Oliver. One Step Closer is Larsson’s 6th CD collection of contemporary jazz. The CD was produced by Walle Larsson for Dockside Records. For information on One Step Closer, call (204) 293-0500 or visit www.wallelarsson.com. It all started innocently enough when already an accomplished flautist at age 18, Walle Larsson was working as a waiter at Alberta’s Chateau Lake Louise in Canada’s scenic rocky mountains. Then, it happened: the trumpet player in the resort’s in-house band had a skiing accident. His lip badly split, he couldn’t play. A replacement was needed immediately; young Larsson and his magical flute were called into action. As the saying goes, the rest is history. Since that fateful day, Larsson – who now makes the saxophone his instrument of choice - has never been out of work, and little wonder why. Known for an incredible ethic – Walle is intensely devoted to his craft – and a creative imagination second to none, Larsson has been wowing audiences from New York to Montreal, Toronto to Tokyo with sizzling jazz solos and sultry smooth jazz .Over that time, the six-foot-four Larsson – who possesses a strong stage presence characterized by not only his larger-than life silhouette, but the ability to interact with audiences in a warm, genuine manner – has shared the stage with the likes of legendary jazz greats Mel Torme and the ageless Tony Bennett. As Entertainment Liaison for The Lyric Theatre in Winnipeg, Walle has used his extensive music connections to bring in – and then back – world-class artists such as as keyboardist Jeff Lorber, saxophonist Dave Koz, guitarist Brian Hughes, Les Sabler, Katherine Penfold, Carol Welsman and Four80 East. At his best live – Larsson’s improvisational skills are second-to-none – Walle has recorded six albums, starting with The Walle Larsson Band, recorded in his hometown of Winnipeg in 1991. On the strength of that album, Larsson was invited to play at the Montreal Jazz Festival and was then summoned to New York to showcase his skills for Bluenote Records. He then packed his bags and headed back to Montreal to record his second CD with some of Montreal’s finest musicians, including Michel Cuson, Mario Parent and Paul Brochu. In preparing for the recording, the group played at the legendary jazz club, Lair du Temps, tearing up the stage on a regular basis. After spending time in Montreal further honing his skills, Larsson then returned to Winnipeg to launch his second CD at the Burton Cummings Theatre. Always an ambassador for smooth jazz, Walle hosted a groove jazz show on Winnipeg’s Magic 99.9 FM for 10 years. At the same time, he played regularly at venues around the city, his skills ever improving. He recorded two more CD’s, and became Entertainment Liaison for The Lyric Theatre at Assiniboine Park, establishing himself as the ambassador for smooth jazz not only in Winnipeg, but western Canada. It was only his sterling reputation and skills that drew – and will continue to draw – acts such as Dave Koz, Jeff Lorber and Brian Hughes back to Winnipeg to perform. In 2010, Walle released his fifth album, After the Night. Containing 10 Larsson originals that range from sultry smooth jazz to Latin-flavoured funk, it proved that he was simply getting better with age; an example of his ever-improving skills can be found on the CD’s title track, where Larsson’s sax soared on After the Night which garnered Larsson a Billboard top twenty and a New York Music Choice Singles Chart #1. The second single from this CD also pulled off a Billboard top 20 and a NY Music Choice #1. Having had the opportunity to perform with some of the biggest names in smooth jazz, Larsson decided to share the writing and production responsibilities on his latest release “One Step Closer” with Steve Oliver and and Stockholm’s Jonathan Fritzen. This CD recorded in LA Stockholm and Winnipeg is aimed at the discerning listener while keeping a close eye on current contemporary radio play. Having just completed his new CD Larsson is now focused on the upcoming lineup of talent Assiniboine Park is bringing to the Lyric Theatre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.The series which runs Sunday nights July and August will see Larsson and band backing up artists including Carol Welsman, Nick Colionne, Steve Oliver and Jonathan Fritzen. Walle is dedicated to promoting contemporary jazz in Winnipeg, Canada and wherever his sax takes him. His dedication to being the best he can be remains undiminished, as well. Like a fine wine, Larsson is simply getting better, where his hard work, supreme dexterity and creativity will no doubt keep him at the top of his game for years to come. Larsson, divides his time between Winnipeg Canada and southern California with his wife and business partner Jo-Ann, saxophone (and flute) always at the ready to shine at his next gig, wherever it might be.