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.
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.
HENRY FRANKLIN
Henry Frankliln was with Roy Ayers & wrote and recorded Grazin In the Grass with Hugh Masakela. Henry also published a method book for all bass players entitled, Bassically Yours. There are more than 100 albums on which Henry appears, many under his leadership. They include: The Skipper and The Skipper at Home (Black Jazz label), Three Card Molly, Bassic Instincts, The Hunter, Bass Encounters (Resurgent Music label), Colemanology, Ears Wide Open, Three Worlds, A Musical Tribute to Gene Harris featuring Three More Sounds, and more.
ALPHONSE MOUZON
Aphonse Mouzon's musical associations read like a veritable Who's Who of Modern Jazz and Pop Music. His talents cover a broad range of musical disciplines and philosophies. He was the rhythmic foundation for the far reaching musical explorations of pianist McCoy Tyner. He was a charter member along with keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, of the group Weather Report. Along with guitarist Larry Coryell, MOUZON was co-founder of The Eleventh House, the seminal fusion band of the seventies. Mouzon and Coryell still tour together in a trio and with the Eleventh House.
HYPERLINK: Event Flyer - http://azarlawrence.com/sb11.29_ad.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
HYPERLINK: Event Flyer - http://azarlawrence.com/sb11.29_ad.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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