Home » Jazz Musicians » Jay Lawrence

Jay Lawrence

Celebrated musician Jay Lawrence has enjoyed a diverse career as a performing and recording artist, composer, arranger, clinician, educator and adjudicator. He has been voted the “Best Drummer in Utah” and “Utah’s Favorite Jazz Drummer.” Versatile, creative and respected, Lawrence’s vast professional experience began when he joined the Musicians Union (AfofM) at age fifteen and was immediately in demand working as a percussionist for myriad celebrity shows in Reno, Lake Tahoe (and later Las Vegas), including Sammy Davis Jr., Lou Rawls, Della Reese, Liza Minelli, Cher, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Loretta Lynn, Nancy Sinatra, Tom Jones, Ben E. King, Ann-Margret, Linda Ronstadt and many others.

He has presented popular clinics and has adjudicated at the Lionel Hampton, Gene Harris and Park City International Jazz Festivals, and others. Jay has authored texts, including Drum Set Core Curriculum, Introduction to Musical Improvisation and Rhythmic Reading Text. Jay has numerous sound track credits ranging from movies, trailers, television and jingles to theme parks and Broadway musicals.

Jack Wood: Movie Magic. Great Songs from the Movies

Read "Movie Magic. Great Songs from the Movies" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
July 23, 2025

Someone could be forgiven for thinking that everyone loves music from the movies. After all: Jule Styne; Leslie Bricusse; Johnny Mandel; Sammy Fain; Harry Warren; Richard Rodgers ; Henry Mancini; Johnny Mercer; Antonio Carlos Jobim; Michel Legrand; Bernice Petkere; and Isham Jones is hardly a list of minor talents, but all are represented on Movie Magic. Is it the music itself, the associated film or both that are compelling? Perhaps an emotional connection to a moment, a time, a person ...

Play This!

Jay Lawrence and The Platinum Jazz Orchestra: Payin' My Dues

by Edward Blanco
February 13, 2023

Veteran drummer Jay Lawrence leads a powerful big band comprised of jazz luminaries such as Wayne Bergeron, Andy Martin, Bob Sheppard, Nestor Torres, and Ed Calle among others on a big band romp of primarily original compositions. One of them, “Don't Blame Me," showcases the vocals of award-winning blues and gospel singer Dee Daniels accompanied by trombonist Brian Woodbury and saxophonist Bob Sheppard. Daniels' emotional performance and reaching vocals marks this piece of magical moments one song on this fusion-tinged ...

Album Review

Jay Lawrence: Sonic Paragon

Read "Sonic Paragon" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
November 4, 2018

Sonic Paragon is a satisfying set grounded in the idea of broad appeal. Drummer Jay Lawrence is no purist, and he's certainly not stubbornly set on a single course, yet he's wholly cognizant of the fact that music is both for the makers and the takers. And with an understanding of that need for balance and some help from a real dream band, he creates a program that basically works for both sides of the fence. Opening ...

Radio & Podcasts

Jay Lawrence, Christian Scott & More

by Joe Dimino
October 22, 2018

Neon Jazz continues to showcase the young talent in jazz today, and this week we profile the great jazz journey of Jay Lawrence, from his 2018 CD, Sonic Parago, to a cut from the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith off the album Keep on Lovin'. Also featured is the rising Kansas City jazz saxophonist Stephen Martin with a song off his new CD, Vision and tracks from some of today's best players like Christian Scott, Jon Batiste and ...

269

Album Review

Jay Lawrence Trio: Thermal Strut

Read "Thermal Strut" reviewed by Dr. Judith Schlesinger

by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
November 20, 2006

Drummer Jay Lawrence has a long and serious resume which includes teaching, composing, arranging, and working with everyone from Sammy Davis and Cher to Phil Woods and James Moody. While he's been on more than ninety recordings, this is his first as a leader--and it's a corker.

This is partly because Lawrence couldn't have chosen better shipmates for his maiden voyage: Lynn Seaton, an always-in-demand bassist whose playing is unusually rich, imaginative, and moving; and (relative) newcomer Tamir Hendelman, whose ...