Larry Lunetta was born on May 12, 1955, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz trumpeter and his mother a classical pianist. From a young age, Lunetta showed a natural talent for music and began playing the trumpet at the age of 10. Lunetta attended the University of Southern California, where he studied under the renowned trumpet player and teacher, Boyde Hood. During his time at USC, Lunetta was a member of the USC Trojan Marching Band and the USC Jazz Band. He also played in various local jazz and classical ensembles. After graduating from USC, Lunetta began his professional career as a freelance musician, playing in a variety of settings, including orchestras, big bands, and studio recordings. He quickly gained a reputation as a versatile and skilled trumpet player, and his career began to take off. In 1980, Lunetta joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra as a trumpet player. He remained with the orchestra for 25 years, during which time he performed in countless concerts and recordings. He also served as the principal trumpet player for several years. During his time with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Lunetta also continued to perform as a freelance musician, playing with other orchestras and ensembles. He was a member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the Los Angeles Brass Quintet, among others. Lunetta's career highlights include performances with some of the world's most renowned conductors, including Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, and Esa-Pekka Salonen. He also performed with many famous musicians, including Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Tony Bennett. In addition to his work as a performer, Lunetta was also a respected teacher and mentor. He taught at several universities and music schools, including the University of Southern California, the California Institute of the Arts, and the Colburn School of Performing Arts. Lunetta's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with several awards and honors. In 1995, he was awarded the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the USC Thornton School of Music. He was also a recipient of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Lifetime Achievement Award. Lunetta retired from the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2005, but he continued to perform and teach until his death in 2016. He was remembered by his colleagues and students as a talented and dedicated musician who had a profound impact on the world of classical music.

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