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Josh Lawrence
Josh Lawrence is a critically acclaimed trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and recording artist who serves as Director of Jazz Studies at Interlochen Center for the Arts.
A "preeminent voice among young composers" (Downbeat 2017), Lawrence has received awards from and produced commissions for the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage (From the Vine), American Composers Forum (Mind Behind Closed Eyes), Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Life Mosaic), Revive X Metropolitan Museum of Art (Harlem Suite), Chamber Music America (Lost Works Live), Come Hear North Carolina (We Insist! FCO + Melanie Charles), and Festival of New Trumpet Music (Philly Twisted).
Lawrence has recorded five solo albums with Posi-Tone Records, two albums with Ropeadope Records co-leading the Fresh Cut Orchestra, received two Grammy Award nominations with pianist Orrin Evans’ Captain Black Big Band and Smoke Sessions Records, and can be heard on albums by Boyz II Men, Erykah Badu, Jazmine Sullivan, Laurin Talese, Jonathan Michel, Caleb Curtis, Tarbaby, Adam Baldych, and Brian Marsella’s Imaginarium.
Lawrence holds a Bachelor degree from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, a Master degree from the Juilliard School in New York, and studied with legendary pianist Barry Harris. In 2021, Lawrence was named Director of Jazz Studies at Interlochen Center for the Arts where he now leads the Arts Academy and Summer Camp programs and conducts the Interlochen Jazz Orchestra.
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Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band: Walk A Mile In My Shoe
by Angelo Leonardi
Il nuovo disco di Orrin Evans e della sua Captain Black Big Band ci ricorda l'importanza delle radici per la comunità musicale afroamericana: il gospel, il blues, le big band, i cantanti e strumentisti storici. Una risorsa che è anche identità collettiva e forza culturale. Come ha sempre fatto in passato, il pianista e bandleader di Philadelphia s'ispira alla tradizione per rinnovarla e arricchirla, con passione e freschezza. Stavolta le orchestrazioni sono funzionali alle interpretazioni di quattro prodigiosi ...
Continue ReadingJosh Lawrence: Measured Response
by David A. Orthmann
Art Hirahara's brief, cryptic solo piano intro to “Where Do We Go?," the opening track of trumpeter/flugelhornist Josh Lawrence's album, offers little indication of what immediately follows: Lawrence's warm-toned, delectable horn surrounded by relaxed, straightforward, middling-tempo swing courtesy of bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Rudy Royston. This intriguing transition sets the stage for a recording that establishes a loose continuity amid changes in mood and temperament. Measured Response encompasses an impressive stylistic reach. “A Tragic Tango Comedy" ...
Continue ReadingJosh Lawrence: And That Too
by David A. Orthmann
Less than ten seconds into “Grit," the opening track of Josh Lawrence's latest chapter as a leader for Posi-Tone Records, the trumpeter uncorks a jaw-dropping solo. Set in a brisk, no-nonsense tempo, it does not so much eclipse the music that follows as it sets the tone for the record by declaring that And That Too is playful and deadly serious. Lawrence's rich, full-bodied tone is the entryway to over two minutes of unadulterated invention. Every note ...
Continue ReadingCaleb Wheeler Curtis: Ain't No Storm
by Paul Rauch
Caleb Wheeler Curtis is a noted voice in the modern world of alto saxophone, in large part due to his association with fellow artists. Most significantly, his work with Philadelphia-based pianist Orrin Evans and the “village" of creative participants within has put a spotlight on his style which attaches itself to tradition while exhibiting a willingness to explore new territory. On his most recent release Ain't No Storm, he presents eleven original compositions that feature fellow Evans bandmates Mark Whitfield ...
Continue ReadingOrrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band: The Intangible Between
by Paul Rauch
Pianist Orrin Evans has a deep understanding of the unshakeable bond between fellowship, humanity and the creative process. That knowledge has guided him through creating a remarkable catalog of music as both a leader and sideman, along the way, experiencing the fellowship of a collective of musicians he often refers to as “The Village." The Village is indeed real, and most aptly expressed musically through the The Captain Black Big Band, Evans' ensemble of anywhere between nine and ...
Continue ReadingJosh Lawrence: Triptych
by David A. Orthmann
Triptych succeeds on the connection between Josh Lawrence's writing and a coterie of players with whom he has been associated for several years. A brilliant, enterprising band comprised of the leader's trumpet, pianist Zaccai Curtis, his brother, bassist Luques Curtis, alto saxophonist Caleb Curtis (no relation), and drummer Anwar Marshall readily embrace the contours of Lawence's compositions and inhabit the roles required by the music, while simultaneously bringing their own idiosyncrasies to the table. In an age when artists often ...
Continue ReadingJosh Lawrence: Contrast
by Thad Aerts
On Contrast, Josh Lawrence and Color Theory's second recording for Posi-Tone, the group executes a classic framework held together with tight chemistry. Lawrence may be the leader, but the gist of the end product is a very democratic arrangement where no one musician or group of musicians takes precedence. Each shine at various times throughout Contrast. The album is a fairly straightforward endeavor displaying solid, classic jazz in form and execution. It's at the sixth track, “Gray" that ...
Continue ReadingJazz Trumpeter Josh Lawrence To Discuss What's “Minimal” With Philly Creative Community
Source:
Michael Ricci
Free CreativeMornings breakfast lecture welcomes creative professionals across disciplines to Kimmel Center on June 13 CreativeMornings Philadelphia presents Josh Lawrence Friday, June 13, 2014 8:30 to 10 a.m. SEI Innovation Studio Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Broad and Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 FREE, including coffee and breakfast snacks Advance registration recommended CreativeMornings is a free breakfast lecture series for the creative community, with monthly ...
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Jazz Bridge presents trumpeter Josh Lawrence in Society Hill on Thursday, April 19th!
Source:
Jim Miller
Appearing at Jazz at the Playhouse to celebrate National Jazz Appreciation Month will be trumpeter Josh Lawrence and his band at the Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th Street in Philadelphia (19147) on April 19th. One Show: 7:30-9 p.m. Admission: $10/$5 for students. No advance sales. For info: 215-517-8337 or 856-858-8914. Parking is right across the street. Jazz Bridge, a 501C3 nonprofit that assists our local jazz and blues musicians in crisis, is sponsoring this concert. Josh Lawrence is an ...
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Primary Instrument
Trumpet
Location
New York City
Willing to teach
Advanced only
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Josh Lawrence
Location: New York City
Instrument: Trumpet
Born: July 8, 1982
