Jay Lawrence - Sonic Paragon

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:13
Size: 200,2 MB
Art: Front

(6:38)  1. Full Moon in Havana
(5:07)  2. What'll I Do
(7:31)  3. Vamonos
(7:06)  4. Slide
(5:38)  5. Maria
(6:51)  6. Dayspring
(4:18)  7. From Nadir to Zenith
(6:26)  8. Sonic Paragon
(5:16)  9. Tchoupitoulas
(5:58) 10. Golden Ratio
(4:41) 11. Crosstown Traffic
(5:39) 12. My Winsome Consort

"Drummer Jay Lawrence gathered together an impressive all-star group to perform swinging originals (all but one are his with one being co-written) and inventive versions of two standards and Jimi Hendrix’s “Crosstown Traffic” (turned into a straight ahead uptempo romp). The colorful music covers a variety of moods and tempos ranging from the rhythmically catchy “Tchoupitoulas” and the cheerful “My Winsome Consort” to an infectious modernized version of “Maria.” Among the most memorable moments are Renee Rosnes’ sly Monkish solo on “My Winsome Consort,” Terrell Stafford’s riotous plunger mute chorus on “Slide,” Romero Lubambo pushing the rhythm on “Maria,” and the leader’s drum breaks on the Latinish “Vamonos.” Harry Allen’s tenor is a major part of the group’s sound throughout, the three guitarists each have spots to shine, and how can one beat John Patitucci on bass? Sonic Paragon is worthy of many listens; there is a lot to discover in this music."~ Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian and author of 11 books

Jay Lawrence, (freelance musician, composer, educator) operates LIJA Music Inc., is the percussionist for the MT Pit Orchestra, co-owns the Jazz Hang record label with colleague Ray Smith, and is the drummer for the Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra. Lawrence graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science degree - Summa Cum Laude. He has been a member of the adjunct faculties at Brigham Young University (1996 to present), University of Utah (24 years), Snow College (1998 to present), and other Universities. His vast professional experience began when Lawrence joined The Musicians Union (A. F. of M.) at the age of fifteen. In Reno, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas, Nevada hotel/casino show bands, Jay performed with many celebrities, including: The 5th Dimension, Paul Anka, Vikki Carr, Cher, Roy Clark, The Coasters, Natalie Cole, Vic Damone, Sammy Davis Jr., Barbara Eden, Michael Feinstein, Andy Gibb, Englebert Humperdink, Tom Jones, Ben E. King, Gladys Knight, Rich Little, Loretta Lynn, Ann Margret, Maureen McGovern, Shirley MacLaine, Liza Minnelli, The Moody Blues, Anthony Newley, Lou Rawls, Charlie Rich, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Jr. and Nancy Sinatra, Red Skelton, Dionne Warwick, Raquel Welch, Mary Wilson, and many others. Former President of the Salt Lake Jazz Society, Lawrence has also performed with many jazz artists, including: Shelly Berg, Brian Bromberg, Kenny Burrell, Cyrus Chestnut, Pete Christlieb, Dee Daniels, Eddie Daniels, Carl Fontana, Al Grey, Don Grolnick, Roy Hargrove, Milt Jackson, Hank Jones, Carol Kaye, Mark Levine, James Moody, Andy Narell, New York Voices, Nicholas Payton, John Pizzarelli, Tom Scott, Bobby Shew, Byron Stripling, Tierney Sutton, Clark Terry, Stanley Turrentine, and Phil Woods. Many award-winning recordings have been recorded by Jay, including albums with Bob Mintzer, Andy Martin, Joey DeFrancesco, Mike Stern, Eddie Daniels, Chuck Findley, Ellis Hall, Natalie Cole, Rodney Jones, Reggie Thomas, Ron Blake, Rodney Whitaker and others. The Jay Lawrence trio’s Thermal Strut on OA2 Records featured Tamir Hendelman and Lynn Seaton and received critical acclaim in Percussive Notes, Jazz Times, and other magazines. Jay’s 2012 recording, Sweet Lime, released on Jazz Hang Records, reached number 7 on the Jazz Week Radio Airplay charts. It features Bob Sheppard and John Clayton. Lawrence also soloed on Kaskade’s Grammy Nominated album Atmosphere. He has toured throughout the U.S.A., Canada, Europe, the South Pacific and the Caribbean with luminaries such as Chris LeDoux, James Moody, Liberace, Enoch Train, and The Osmonds. Lawrence has recorded film scores and trailers for the following motion pictures: The Sandlot, 101 Dalmatians, Army of Darkness, Double Impact, Eulogy, Flubber, Frank and Jesse, Gettysburg, Hercules, Huck Finn, Jumanji, Mighty Ducks 2, Nightmare on Elm Street- Part VII, Stargate, Surviving Picasso, The Swan Princess, The Three Ninjas Kick Back, U-57, and Saturday's Warrior. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/jaylawrence

Personnel:  Jay Lawrence, drums;  John Patitucci, bass;  Renee Rosnes, piano;  Harry Allen, tenor saxophone;  Terell Stafford, trumpet;  Anthony Wilson, Yotam Silberstein, Romero Lubambo, guitars

Sonic Paragon

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Jay Lawrence - Thermal Strut

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:03
Size: 130,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:25)  1. Thermal Strut
(3:39)  2. Topsy
(5:42)  3. Tell Me A Bedtime Story
(5:00)  4. Love For Sale
(6:27)  5. Almost Summer
(4:06)  6. Opus de Funk
(6:07)  7. You Can't Do That
(7:19)  8. Eulogy
(5:03)  9. Agua de Beber
(7:11) 10. Peacocks

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 reputation for superb arranging and piano playing has grown exponentially in the past decade. Thermal Strut is almost a musical history lesson. It offers exciting versions of "Topsy" and "Love for Sale," and honors a wide pantheon of disparate composers like Jimmy Rowles ("Peacocks"), Herbie Hancock ("Tell Me a Bedtime Story"), Tom Jobim ("Agua de Beber"), Horace Silver ("Opus de Funk") and Lennon/McCartney ("You Can't Do That," perhaps the first jazz cover of this tune). Rounding out the program are two engaging Lawrence compositions the rousing title track and the poignant, meditative "Eulogy" and one lyrical beauty by Hendelman ("Almost Summer"). This trio sets new standards for class and swing, and the solos are unusually consistent in their deep expressiveness. A few of the many notable moments on Thermal Strut: Seaton's signature scatting on the opener, Hendelman's funky arrangement of "Agua de Beber," Lawrence's churning approach to "Topsy," and his intricate, swinging brushwork, wherever it occurs. There's just one more thing to say about Lawrence's thoroughly enjoyable debut: it's about time!~ Dr Judith SCHLESINGER https://www.allaboutjazz.com/thermal-strut-jay-lawrence-origin-records-review-by-dr-judith-schlesinger.php

Personnel: Jay Lawrence: drums; Lynn Seaton: bass; Tamir Hendelman: piano.

Thermal Strut

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Jay Lawrence Quartet - Sweet Lime

Size: 151,9 MB
Time: 65:32
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Jazz: Mainstream Jazz
Label: Jazz Hang Records
Art: Front

01. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (5:42)
02. 1858 I Street (6:47)
03. Sweet Lime (5:12)
04. Fantasia (5:03)
05. Anthem For Jubal (6:14)
06. Señor Mouse (7:45)
07. The Very Thought Of You (6:07)
08. Summer At Tahoe (5:32)
09. Timpanogos Snowfall (7:16)
10. Furnace Of Affliction (3:40)
11. I Mean You (6:08)

Personnel: Jay Lawrence – drums; Bob Sheppard – tenor saxophone; Tamir Hendelman – piano; John Clayton – bass

The Jay Lawrence Quartet’s latest release entitled Sweet Lime is a tart treat with some delicious solos from all members of the band making this a musical confection worth a listen.

Of the eleven compositions on the album, seven are Jay Lawrence originals which seem to have ties back to Lawrence’s life or memories. Pianist Tamir Hendelman penned the arrangements for eight compositions which demonstrate his clever feel for the music. As in everyday life, musicians can often be judged by the company they keep, and in the case of drummer Jay Lawrence, he has chosen to surround himself with some top-notch players.

While tenor man Bob Sheppard’s name may not be widely known he is one of those highly regarded West Coast musicians who can deliver the goods in any setting or environment. There is not a tune in this session in which Sheppard does not make his presence felt. However as he was a member of Chick Corea’s Origin band, he does grasp the challenges posed by Corea’s oblique composition “Señor Mouse”. On Ray Noble’s ballad “The Very Thought Of You” he captures the inner beauty of the arrangement.

Tamir Hendelman is an approachable pianist with a highly inventive capacity and a subtle touch. He has worked in both the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra as well as with John Clayton in a trio setting led by Hendelman. So whether it is in the thoughtful introductions to “Fantasia” and “Every Little Thing She Does” or the swinging support on “Anthem For Jubal” and the and the wonderful Monkish “I Mean You”, Tamir never seems to play an out of context note or musical phrase.

The back line of John Clayton bass and Jay Lawrence drums are the glue that holds this band together. Clayton is an outstanding bassist with a big tone who offers exemplary playing throughout the album. Lawrence is an imaginative drummer who uses the complete drum kit not only to drive the band along but provide wonderful accents in all the right places.

While not an everyday working band, this album shows a cohesion that suggests this group should be taken on the road.

Sweet Lime

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