Piers Lawrence

Guitarist Piers Lawrence realizes his dream of recording a mainstream jazz album through a well- balanced mix of originals and standards. Lawrence is a confident player with an ear for melody and flowing harmonies. He has a graceful quality that gets into the songs whether he is out swinging or embracing bop.

Lawrence also comes off as a skilled writer through his three contributions to the set. Samba Christina is, naturally, a samba. The guitarist feeds the tune with thick notes, deliberately letting open air in and then snapping on the notes to give them a solid depth

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Guitarist Piers Lawrence realizes his dream of recording a mainstream jazz album through a well- balanced mix of originals and standards. Lawrence is a confident player with an ear for melody and flowing harmonies. He has a graceful quality that gets into the songs whether he is out swinging or embracing bop.

Lawrence also comes off as a skilled writer through his three contributions to the set. Samba Christina is, naturally, a samba. The guitarist feeds the tune with thick notes, deliberately letting open air in and then snapping on the notes to give them a solid depth. His sense of dynamics and proportion comes to the fore in his run of notes, a skein taken up by Chuk Fowler whose piano rides a trail of breezy phrases.

Everytime, another Lawrence composition, is a ballad. Jim Hankins is recorded heavy on bass, a trait seen on other tracks but Lawrence soothes. He lets the beckoning melody unravel and soak in, then bites down, laying a harder line that ups the emotional factor.

The band does well in its interpretation of standards. Lawrence bops out on Charlie Parker's Donna Lee, the rhythm section providing sound support, with Sir Earl Grice setting a lithe snap on the drums. Lawrence and Fowler continue to be emissaries, one following the other, playing with zest and feel. The two also spark each other and come off as energetic musical cohorts on Secret Love.

With a band that is in empathy with his aspirations and the music, Lawrence serves up enjoyable music.

Visit Piers Lawrence Quartet on the web www.pierslawrence.com Piers Lawrence Quartet at All About Jazz http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=15891

02.17.10 | All About Jazz - LA By Paula Edelstein

“Stolen Moments” features the exceptional musciality of guitarist Piers Lawrence, bassist Jim Hankins, Sir Earl Grice on drums and Chuk Fowler on piano. Lawrence's soulful, melodic guitar playing and prolific songwriting makes this CD a masterful offering for anyone into straight-ahead jazz.

While many of Lawrence's fans know him from his association with such hit Broadway musicals as Guys and Dolls, Hubie, Dancin' and Your Arms Too Short To Box With God, his presence in the jazz galaxy includes his ownership of JazzNet Media and his production of the Internet radio show called ”Manhattan Jazz.”

The CD features such great standards as Sonny Rollins' “Pent-up House,” Oliver Nelson's “Stolen Moments,” the rarely heard Charlie parker composition “Donna Lee” and the Fain/Francis gem “Secret Love.” While those standards may enamor the die-hard jazz enthusiast to the quartet's musicality, Lawrence's own “Everytime” and “Dimanche” are prominent showcases for their stellar interplay and Lawrence's ability to bring something new to the table for novice jazz lovers - be it a blues or a loving ballad.

These songs are real winners and are destined to become jazz standards or ensconced in some amazing player's repertoire because of their beautiful melodies and chord progressions. Along with the excellent soloing, this quartet captures the character of a late night jazz scene with all its energy and depth of emotion.

So steal a few moments to enjoy this excellent recording. You'll be glad you did.”

12.27.10 | Kudos to Piers Lawrence December 27, 2007 PIERS LAWRENCE guitar; CHUK FOWLER piano; JIM HANKINS bass; SIR EARL GRICE drums http://ejazznews.com/ By: Edward Blanco

Hailing from the New York area, the Piers Lawrence Quartet issues what is apparently their debut album with a vibrant performance in a new 2008 release of a straight-ahead jazz CD entitled “Stolen Moments.” The album is the culmination of a long time dream of New York native and jazz guitarist Piers Lawrence. A self published recording on his own label (Jazznet Media), Lawrence is also producer and host of “Manhattan Jazz,” an internet radio show on www.tribecaradio.net .

His quartet is comprised of Harlem-raised pianist Chuk Fowler, Detroit-born and bred Jim Hankins and New Jersey’s own Sir Earl Grice manning the drums. Essentially a rhythm-based quartet, the group plays tight and provides one marvelous performance.

Lawrence includes three original tunes but starts off with the terrific and bouncy Sonny Rollins score “Pent-Up House.” Turning South, Lawrence takes off on his samba-shaded “Samba Christina,” delivering excellent runs on the guitar leading to Fowler’s solo play on the keys and a nice drum roll from Grice. The title piece and Oliver Nelson tune, “Stolen Moments,” is one of the best renditions around capturing that familiar melody quite well.

The band picks up the beat and swings on Charlie Parker’s standard “Donna Lee,” where both the leader and pianist peel off some sturdy runs to make this one of the best charts here. Other notable tunes include Lawrence’s “Dimanche,” the Fain/Francis standard “Secret Love” and John Pastorius’s “Reza” to round out the set.

“Stolen Moments” is another warm slice of straight-ahead jazz delivered by a guitar led rhythm-based quartet guaranteed to please jazz critics and the discerning jazz audience alike. Kudos to Piers Lawrence and crew for crafting an entertaining and engaging session of jazz.

CD Review: http://www.midwestrecord.com/ PIERS LAWRENCE QUARTET/Stolen Moments: This crew comes across like a classic bunch of jazzbos. Recording the date in an afternoon mixing Rollins, Parker and Nelson with originals and some Jaco, the guitar led crew has the easy after hours vibe that flows from the Harlem renaissance in which most of them have some roots. Not showy but with a lot of flair, listeners that like their jazz straight up will simply dig this set. Well done throughout.

Volume 31/Number 52 December 22, 2010 MIDWEST RECORD CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

All Styles & All Levels WELCOME! Get Help in Choosing the right Guitar to get started, in setting up your instrument, and in learning any song! I'm a Conservatory Graduate and pro guitarist based here in NYC... I have reasonable rates and a flexible schedule. Please visit my site for complete bio and credits. www.PiersLawrence.com Let's work together to take your playing to the next level! Welcome to the Guitar Playing Family, Piers

Clinic/Workshop Information

Read more

Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

All Styles & All Levels WELCOME! Get Help in Choosing the right Guitar to get started, in setting up your instrument, and in learning any song! I'm a Conservatory Graduate and pro guitarist based here in NYC... I have reasonable rates and a flexible schedule. Please visit my site for complete bio and credits. www.PiersLawrence.com Let's work together to take your playing to the next level! Welcome to the Guitar Playing Family, Piers

Clinic/Workshop Information

All Styles & All Levels WELCOME! Get Help in Choosing the right Guitar to get started, in setting up your instrument, and in learning any song! I'm a Conservatory Graduate and pro guitarist based here in NYC... Reasonable rates and flexible schedules. Please visit my site for complete bio and credits. www.PiersLawrence.com Let's work together to take your playing to the next level! Welcome to the Guitar Playing Family, Piers

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