AZAR LAWRENCE
Blowing stronger than ever, and still on the circuit; Azar Lawrence has confirmed his longstanding reputation as one of the 21st century's greatest exponents of the John Coltrane legacy. Born in Los Angeles in 1952, by age 21 Lawrence had worked with War, Ike & Tina Turner, and Charles Wright's Watts 103rd Street Band ('Express Yourself'). He joined drummer Elvin Jones for two years, and for the next eight years moved between Jones' group and the McCoy Tyner band.
Azar played on Miles Davis' 1974 live set Dark Magus and on Marvin Gaye's Here My Dear; he released three albums as a leader, and saw his compositions recorded by Stanley Turrentine and Earth Wind & Fire, among others. In 2010, Azar Lawrence released Prayer For My Ancestors and followed that CD with Mystic Journey (Furthermore Recordings), his first albums in decades; his latest CD, Elementals, is due out soon. As one of the best to blend the elements of earth and the spirit through music; Azar stands out as an distinctive instrumentalist with his searing, passionate saxophone sound and brilliant compositional style.
ERIC REED
Through more than a quarter-century as a first-caller on the jazz scene, Eric Scott Reed has articulated this inclusive conception as a leader of numerous ensembles, solo performer, composer, producer, educator and sideman with numerous artists. Whatever the context, whatever the style, he consistently animates the flow with fresh ideas, virtuosic chops, intellectual clarity and an unwavering will to groove.
On a remarkable series of recent recordings, Reed illuminates his aesthetic scope, navigating diverse terrain with intense focus and sagely concision. Consider, for example, one of Reed's most recent releases, The Adventurous Monk, a 2014 date on which he offers idiomatic yet personalized, loose yet cohesive interpretations of ten works by the genius pianist-composer Thelonious Monk. It's Reed's third Monk project since 2009, when he made The Dancing Monk, followed in 2011 by The Baddest Monk, on which he addresses the iconic songs with just the right admixture of maverick recklessness and natural command.
A similar spirit of grounded exploration infuses Reed's most recent release and first live recording, Groovewise, on which he navigates mainly original music on the bandstand. The spontaneity of live performance comes through on Stand!, a jubilant-to-introspective 2009 studio date on which Reed presents 11 pieces inspired by biblical themes.
ROY MCCURDY
Roy McCurdy will probably always be best-known for his important contributions to Cannonball Adderley's Quintet (1965-1975), but he has been a tasteful and stimulating participant in many other sessions through the years. In 1960 he joined the Art Farmer Benny Golson Jazztet and remained for two years. Early on, he worked with Chuck and Gap Mangione in the Jazz Brothers (1960-1961). McCurdy also gained recognition with Sonny Rollins before joining Adderley. After Adderley''s death, McCurdy moved to the Los Angeles area, where he has played and recorded with the top local musicians ever since.
McCurdy counts among his influences Louie Bellson, Shelly Manne, Sam Woodyard, Buddy Rich, 'Papa' Jo Jones, Philly Joe Jones and the bands of Duke Ellington, Jimmy Lunceford and Lionel Hampton. He' has performed on between 150 and 200 recordings. The list of greats that McCurdy has played with includes Count Basie, Wes Montgomery, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Joe Williams, Herbie Hancock, Milt Jackson, Oscar Peterson and Bud Powell. Roy has also played with Art Pepper, John Heard, Ron McCurdy, Jackie Ryan, Joe Zawinal, Blood, Sweat and Tears, etc.
EDWIN LIVINGSTON
Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Edwin Livingston was exposed to music early on. After receiving his B.M. in music performance he relocated several times in pursuit of new musical terrain.
In his various travels he has played and recorded with many notable artists and masters; with: Elvin Jones, Ellis, Delfeayo, and Jason Marsalis, The Headhunters, Los Hombres Calientes (Grammy nominated Latin Jazz album), Ronnie Laws, Debra Laws, Lionel Loueke, D.J. Logic, David 'Fathead' Newman, John Beasley, Otmaro Ruiz, Mike Garson, Russell Ferrante, Sadao Watanabe, Justo Almario, Leni Stern, Dave Weckl, Will Kennedy, Peter Erskine, Vince Wilburn, Jr., Jimmy Branly, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Tootie Heath, Dave Weckl, Joe LaBarbera, Hot Buttered Rhythm, Gecko Turner, Henry Butler, James Clay, Barbara Morrison, Queen Latifah,, Justin Timberlake, Will.I.Am, Brian McKnight, Mary J Blige, Aretha Franklin),Natalie Cole and many others.
In addition to a full playing, touring, and recording career he is also on the faculty at the USC Thornton School of Music, teaching bass in the jazz studies department.
Press: nytimes.com/interactive/2016/05/27/arts/music/things-to-do-in-new-york-fleet-week-selena-gomez-tracy-morgan.html?_r=5
Event Flyer: azarlawrence.com/posters/azar_seabirdjazz_7.23_web.jpg
Facebook Event: facebook.com/events/1546075832368504/
Websites:
azarlawrence.com
ericreed.net
edwinlivingston.com
music.usc.edu/roy-mccurdy/
youtube.com/watch?v=L3J7IomGuCc
gighear.org/artist.php?id=311
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