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Lawrence

“The brother/sister musical phenomenon you need to hear.” - Affinity

“Lawrence is already a force to reckon with — and they’re only getting started.” - LadyGunn

“Each [song] was keyboard-driven, energetic and featured the mind-blowing vocal arrangements of Clyde and Gracie.” - Pancakes and Whiskey

“If this groovy corner of the New York City scene is going to take the world by storm, Lawrence may well be its best bet for the future.” - Live For Live Music

“The rich nine-piece arrangements pay tribute to Motown, Muscle Shoals, and everything in between…” - Relix Magazine

“Soul-Pop duo on the edge of a breakthrough.” - Popdust

“Lawrence is carefully carving out a place for themselves in pop music and redefining the genre along the way.” - Femme Riot

As NPR writes, “siblings Clyde and Gracie Lawrence are not your typical pair.” Clyde Lawrence, 24, and Gracie Lawrence, 21, have been writing songs and listening to countless Stevie Wonder, Randy Newman, and Aretha Franklin records together in the living room of their family’s New York City apartment since they were little kids. After years of playing together, they officially created Lawrence, an eight-piece soul-pop band comprised of powerhouse musicians who happen to be their best friends from childhood and college. The keyboard-driven rhythm section and tight, energetic horns create dynamic arrangements to support Clyde and Gracie’s explosive lead vocals and catchy melodies.

Their sophomore album, aptly titled Living Room, was released in September 2018. Living Room promptly reached #2 on the iTunes R&B/Soul chart, earned a featured placement on Spotify’s “New Music Friday” playlist, and led the band to its late-night television debut on NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly. The album ranges from R&B/funk feel-good pop songs to soulful and cinematic ballads. Co-produced by bandmates Jordan Cohen (tenor/baritone saxophone) and Jonny Koh (guitar), Brooklyn-based producer Eli Crews, and Clyde and Gracie themselves, Living Room chronicles the life of two kids growing up into (almost) fully formed humans and the trials and tribulations along the way, including break-ups, make-ups, a family loss, and the attempt to find harmony between excitement, anxiety, melancholy, and empowerment. Sonically, the album combines elements of Lawrence’s old and new influences by mixing live with electronic, analog with digital, and meticulousness with spontaneity.

Upon releasing Living Room, Lawrence embarked on the Living Room World Tour, including a full set of headline dates across North America and support and festival slots across Europe. With their high-energy sound and completely live arrangements, they have gained a devoted following of all ages, demographics, and musical backgrounds. Lawrence has sold out headline shows across the country and appeared at festivals including Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Firefly, Okeechobee, Hangout, and many more. The band has also opened for notable acts such as Lake Street Dive, Vulfpeck, Jon Bellion, Soulive, Jacob Collier, Blues Traveler, O.A.R, Bernhoft, and others.

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Obituary

Elliot Lawrence: 1925-2021

Elliot Lawrence: 1925-2021

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Elliot Lawrence, one of the last surviving big band leaders of the late 1940s and early 1950s who employed many of the finest and most sophisticated New York jazz musicians who went went on to leadership careers in the LP era, died on July 2. He was 96. In 1960, Elliot began composing, arranging and conducting for television, film and Broadway. His shows included How to Succeed in Busness Without Really Trying, which won him a Tony. He also conducted ...

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Recording

Bassist, Composer George DeLancey 'Paradise' Featuring Lawrence Leathers And An All-Star Band Release Date: February 1st!

Bassist, Composer  George DeLancey 'Paradise' Featuring Lawrence Leathers And An All-Star Band Release Date: February 1st!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Paradise, the sophomore release from critically acclaimed bassist/ composer George DeLancey, features a mix of hard swinging original compositions and jazz standards, and a host prominent young jny: New York City jazz players. Release date is February 1st (George DeLancey Music). The all-star band includes: pianist Tadataka Unno (Jimmy Cobb, Roy Hargrove), saxophonist Caleb Wheeler Curtis (Walking Distance, Orrin Evans), and Lawrence Leathers, the Grammy-winning drummer for Cécile McLorin Salvant. “George DeLancey understands the entire scope and history of the ...

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Recording

Tenor Saxophonist Lawrence Clark To Celebrate The Release Of His Sophomore Album "Inner Visions" Featuring Jeremy Pelt And Duane Eubanks

Tenor Saxophonist Lawrence Clark To Celebrate The Release Of His Sophomore Album "Inner Visions" Featuring Jeremy Pelt And Duane Eubanks

Source: ARE GROUP

Tenor saxophonist Lawrence Clark will celebrate the release of his sophomore album Inner Visions on August 9, 2019, with a special concert at The LetLove Inn in Astoria, NY. His new album, offered through the European Jazz Tribes label, features trumpeters Jeremy Pelt and Duane Eubanks with David Bryant, piano and Rhodes; Darrell Green, drums; and Joris Teepe, bass. Inner Visions will be initially available on Bandcamp and select websites on August 9, 2019 and later via major distribution platforms ...

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Recording

Tenor Saxophonist Lawrence Clark Releases Debut Album "Forward Motion"

Tenor Saxophonist Lawrence Clark Releases Debut Album "Forward Motion"

Source: ARE Group

Earlier this month, New York-based tenor saxophonist Lawrence Clark independently released his debut album entitled Forward Motion. The recording highlights Clark’s original compositions which are brought to life through a dynamic group featuring Lawrence Clark (tenor sax); Josh Evans (trumpet); Kush Abadey (drums); Rahsaan Carter (bass); and David Bryant (piano). Originally from Camden, NJ, Lawrence Clark has been a longtime fixture within the vibrant New York jazz scene and has appeared at festivals and concerts throughout the United States, Europe, ...

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Recording

George DeLancey - Self-Titled Debut CD - With Aaron Diehl, Lawrence Leathers, Stacy Dillard & More!

George DeLancey - Self-Titled Debut CD - With Aaron Diehl, Lawrence Leathers, Stacy Dillard & More!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Rodney Whitaker's Protégé GEORGE DELANCEY Self-Titled Debut CD NYC Release Gig: September 28- Smalls Jazz Club CD Features All-Star Band Including: Aaron Diehl, Lawrence Leathers, Stacy Dillard and more! Straight Ahead Hard Swingin'! Bassist/composer/bandleader George DeLancey busted out with his self-titled debut CD July 9, 2016 to critical acclaim and nationwide airplay. He features an all-star lineup of young musicians crossing the spectrum of the New York jazz scene. Together they create a tight program of ...

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Interview

Interview: Elliot Lawrence

Interview: Elliot Lawrence

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

I've long loved Elliot Lawrence's music. His big band recordings of the late 1940s and 1950s had superb swing and sensitivity, especially on Gerry Mulligan arrangements. The band was tight, well rehearsed and always loaded with the best musicians in the business. After my last post on Elliot back in August, singer Marlene VerPlanck sent me a kudos email and suggested I give Elliot a call. So I did. One thing led to the next and I did an old ...

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Video / DVD

Elliot Lawrence on the Road

Elliot Lawrence on the Road

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

What was it like to be on the road in a big band in 1950? It's difficult to say, since we only have the recollections of musicians who were there, and who knows how accurate those memories are. In the case of Elliot Lawrence, two members of his band then—Bob Karch and Howie Mann—took color home movies. As you'll see in the following eight clips, the country was still young then. TV hadn't penetrated most markets, radio dominated and bands ...

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Video / DVD

Tiny Kahn and Elliot Lawrence

Tiny Kahn and Elliot Lawrence

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Composer-arranger Johnny Mandel told me a few years ago that Tiny Kahn was among his favorite arrangers. As Johnny put it, no one could craft a flag-waver like Kahn, with huge build, drive and swing. Johnny and Kahn go back to 1944, when both were in Henry Jerome's band. Both also arranged for Woody Herman and Elliot Lawrence in the early 1950s. Kahn also was a fabulous drummer (sticks and brushes) and cymbal stylist, as evidenced by his work behind ...

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Recording

Saxophone Giants Azar Lawrence & Al McLean Kick Off "Conduit"

Saxophone Giants Azar Lawrence & Al McLean Kick Off "Conduit"

Source: Randy Cole

Cinematographer Randy Cole and saxophonist Al McLean deliver Conduit, an iconic Jazz recording, captured in a former church in jny: Montreal. Cole and McLean invited American saxophonist Azar Lawrence, to the session (McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Miles Davis), and the resulting tracks are mesmerizing. Digitally released on major music download sites (iTunes, Amazon, etc.), Conduit will be officially launched on March 7th in Montreal at Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill by Azar Lawrence and Al McLean. Together, Lawrence and McLean ...

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Music Industry

Marion Evans + Steve Lawrence

Marion Evans + Steve Lawrence

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

In January 1963, Go Away Little Girl by Steve Lawrence was the No. 1 song on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. The mid-tempo single, written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, featured Lawrence backed by a lonesome-cowboy beat and an orchestra arranged by Marion Evans. Go Away Little Girl was produced by Al Kasha, a songwriter who worked at New York's Brill Building and was pals with Goffin and King. Kasha's next project for Lawrence at Columbia would leverage his earlier ...

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