AZAR LAWRENCE
Lawrence has been compared to John Coltrane his whole working life, but he is not a replica. He plays Coltrane's instruments but not his licks and patterns. Even Lawrence's sound is a variant. On soprano saxophone he is somewhat more rounded, and has slightly more vibrato on tenor. What he shares with Coltrane is an intensity of passion that overwhelms everything in its path.
The Seeker hits like a sledgehammer from the opening track, 'Gandhi.' Lawrence writes elemental declamatory anthems that serve as launchpads. Their titles convey his understanding of music as a spiritual quest: 'Spirit Night,' 'The Seeker,' 'Venus Rising.' For all his fervor, there is logic and clarity in his onslaught of ideas. When he reenters for a second solo, like on 'Gandhi,' he can jolt you out of your chair....
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AZAR LAWRENCE
Lawrence has been compared to John Coltrane his whole working life, but he is not a replica. He plays Coltrane's instruments but not his licks and patterns. Even Lawrence's sound is a variant. On soprano saxophone he is somewhat more rounded, and has slightly more vibrato on tenor. What he shares with Coltrane is an intensity of passion that overwhelms everything in its path.
The Seeker hits like a sledgehammer from the opening track, 'Gandhi.' Lawrence writes elemental declamatory anthems that serve as launchpads. Their titles convey his understanding of music as a spiritual quest: 'Spirit Night,' 'The Seeker,' 'Venus Rising.' For all his fervor, there is logic and clarity in his onslaught of ideas. When he reenters for a second solo, like on 'Gandhi,' he can jolt you out of your chair.
Benito Gonzalez, an emerging talent, plays piano on both albums. His relationship to Tyner is analogous to Lawrence's Coltrane connection. Like Tyner, Gonzalez builds gigantic solos in towering blocks. But he is more impulsive and free.
The Seeker is a powerful album with a few issues. It was recorded live at Jazz Standard in New York. The fades at the ends of tracks, and announcements that don't start until the fifth tune, disrupt the illusion of a live jazz event. Trumpeter Nicholas Payton sounds disconnected from Lawrence's music, as if he came to play on a more conventional, less ferocious occasion. Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times - September 2014
JEFFREY ROBINSON
Though primarily a jazz singer Jeff Robinson blends a touch of r&b, adult contemp, even hip hop into his self penned material. Robinson's work has been diverse as contributing vocals to smooth jazz projects by Brian Simpson, to adding vocals to Coolio's My Soul cd before releasing his eponymous cd, Any Shade of Blue in 1998.
This cd exploded on the jazz scene in London, immediately getting play listed on jazz fm, allowing him to make appearances at the famous Jazz Cafe.
Echonews, a musical magazine in London rated Any Shade of Blue one of the top five releases for that year.
Originally from New York, Jeff resides in Los Angeles. He is a household name in many jazz circles, getting his start at the World Stage in Leimert Park. He has performed at the Playboy Jazz Festival and the best jazz venues on the West Coast.
THEO SAUNDERS
A native New Yorker, has lived in California since 1985, but his musical career remains international in scope. Saunders' musical odyssey has taken him to four continents and more than twenty countries.Growing up in NYC, he played with Pharoah Sanders in the 1960s, and in 1971 (at age 24), at the Village Vanguard with the likes of Jimmy Garrison and Jack DeJohnette in a group led by guitarist Sonny Greenwich. Appearing on more than 40 recordings as a sideman, he has accompanied everyone from Sonny Fortune and Charles Lloyd to Freddie Hubbard and Ray Mantilla, and has six recordings as a leader.
JEFF LITTLETON
One of the most versatile and in demand bassists on the West Coast, Jeff Littleton has performed with a virtual who’s who of top jazz artist including Nancy Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Hank Crawford, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Higgins, Harold Land, Bobby Hutchinson and a long list of top musicians.
ALPHONSE MOUZON
Alphonse Mouzon musical associations read like a veritable Who's Who of Modern Jazz and Pop Music. His talents cover a broad range of musical disciplines and philosophies. He was the rhythmic foundation for the far reaching musical explorations of pianist McCoy Tyner. He was a charter member along with keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, of the group Weather Report. Along with guitarist Larry Coryell, MOUZON was co-founder of The Eleventh House, the seminal fusion band of the seventies. Mouzon and Coryell still tour together in a trio and with the Eleventh House.
HYPERLINK: Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rQovX4zBY0
HYPERLINK: Event Flyer -http://azarlawrence.com/sb01.10.15_wb.jpg
HYPERLINK: Press - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/arts/music/revisiting-1964-coltrane.html?_r=0
HYPERLINK: Hi-Res Photo - http://azarlawrence.com/Zar8-pk.jpg
HYPERLINK: Website - www.azarlawrence.com
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