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.' Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times - September 2014...
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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.' Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times - September 2014
'The Seeker is a jaw-dropping joy: great musicians, great compositions and flavor that pays homage to John Coltrane while carving its own driving path. Azar Lawrence flashes soul-filled, spiritual tenor and soprano chops with a brand of fire that's riveting and timeless. For those not familiar with Lawrence, get hip now.' Frank Alkyer - Downbeat Magazine, July 2014
NOLAN SHAHEED
Nolan Shaheed is a high energy, highly experienced trumpeter and sound engineer. Not only can Nolan run the mile at world record pace, but he can blow your socks off with his expert trumpeting. Nolan contributed trumpet parts on 3 tracks of "The Secret of Christmas" and provided his studio and engineering services for the recording of all our horn, vibraphone, and choral tracks.
Nolan was born in Pasadena, CA and has been one of LA's top studio musicians since 1974. He is in great demand in the Jazz scene and was the musical director for Marvin Gaye , Lead Trumpet with Count Basie Orchestra, and worked with numerous other artists such as Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Phil Collins, and Anita Baker.
He has also performed and toured with: Eddie Harris, Teddy Edwards, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Jeannie & Jimmy Cheatham, Francisco Aquabea. Nolan has been one He currently owns a recording studio and is a music producer.
MARVIN 'SMITTY' SMITH
Featured on more than 45 albums, additional performances and recordings augmented with Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison, Ray Brown and Phineas Newborn, George Shearing, Bobby Watson, Hamiet Bluiett, Branford Marsalis, David Murray, Emily Remler, Peter Leicht, Kevin Eubanks, Donald Byrd, Monty Alexander, Diane Reeves, Michel Camilo, and Grover Washington Jr. Currently he's a member of Steve Coleman's Five Elements, and The Dave Holland Quartet. Smitty conducts seminars and clinics for students in jazz workshops, both in the United States and Europe; and is currently on staff of jazz program at the Banff Centre of Fine Arts, Canada, and Drummers Collective, New York City.
Smitty has been Downbeat Critics' Poll winner for Talent Deserving Wider Recognition, 1985 through 1987, and 1989. Smitty performed on the Soundtrack of filmaker Spike Lee's "School Daze", appeared in Sonny Rollins' music video "Saxophone Colossus", and a member of Sting's "Nothing Like the Sun" South American tour, 1987. Regarded as a well rounded musician with the ability to play all styles, Marvin "Smitty" Smith is a blossoming composer and arranger, and his success has earned him two albums as a bandleader. As a versitile drummer, there seems to be nothing be cannot do. It's been said that he is the "John Coltrane of the drums.
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.
HYPERLINK: Event Flyer: http://azarlawrence.com/sbfeb28_web.jpg
HYPERLINK: Press - http://jazztimes.com/articles/138243-the-seeker-azar-lawrence
HYPERLINK: Press - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/28/arts/music/azar-lawrence-quintet-focuses-on-the-seeker.html?_r=0
HYPERLINK: Hi-Res Photo - http://azarlawrence.com/Zar8-pk.jpg
HYPERLINK: Website - www.azarlawrence.com
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