Azar Lawrence (born November 3, 1952) is an American jazz saxophonist, known for his contributions as

sideman A sideman is a professional musician who is hired to perform live with a solo artist, or with a group in which they are not a regular band member. The term is usually used to describe musicians that play with jazz or rock artists, whether solo ...

to McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis,

Freddie Hubbard Frederick Dewayne Hubbard (April 7, 1938 – December 29, 2008) was an American jazz trumpeter. He played bebop, hard bop, and post-bop styles from the early 1960s onwards. His unmistakable and influential tone contributed to new perspectives fo ...

, and Woody Shaw. Lawrence was the tenor saxophonist Tyner used following John Coltrane's death.

Career

Lawrence released ''Summer Solstice'' on

Prestige Records Prestige Records is a jazz record company and label founded in 1949 by Bob Weinstock in New York City which issued recordings in the mainstream, bop, and cool jazz idioms. The company recorded hundreds of albums by many of the leading jazz music ...

in 1975, produced by Orrin Keepnews. It featured

Raul de Souza Raul de Souza (23 August 1934 -– 23 June 2021), also known as Raulzinho, was a Brazilian trombonist who recorded with Sérgio Mendes, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Milton Nascimento, Sonny Rollins, Hermeto Pascoal, Cal Tjader and the jazz/fu ...

, Gerald Hayes, Amaury Tristão, Dom Salvador,

Ron Carter Ronald Levin Carter (born May 4, 1937) is an American jazz double bassist. His appearances on 2,221 recording sessions make him the most-recorded jazz bassist in history. He has won three Grammy awards, and is also a cellist who has recorded nu ...

Guilherme Franco Guilherme Franco (born November 25, 1946 and died November 12, 2016 in São Paulo, Brazil) was a percussionist in the jazz and world fusion music genres. Franco performed on the albums of many notable jazz musicians such as McCoy Tyner, Lonn ...

on the songs "Novo Ano" and "Highway" which were composed by Amaury Tristão, and Lawrence, Souza, Albert Dailey, Carter and

Billy Hart Billy Hart (born November 29, 1940) is an American jazz drummer and educator. He is known internationally for his work with Herbie Hancock's "Mwandishi" band in the early 1970s, as well with Shirley Horn, Stan Getz, and Quest, among others. Bi ...

on all other selections. ''Bridge Into The New Age'' featured Jean Carn, Woody Shaw, Ray Straughter, Woody Murray, Clint Houston, Billy Hart, Guillerme Franco, Julian Priester, Hadley Caliman, Black Arthur, Joe Bonner, John Heard, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Mtume and Kenneth Nash. ''People Moving'' featured Patrice Rushen, Jerry Peters, Michael Stanton,

John Rowin John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

Lee Ritenour Lee Mack Ritenour ( ; born January 11, 1952) is an American jazz guitarist who has been active since the late 1960s. Biography Ritenour was born on January 11, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, United States. At the age of eight he started play ...

, Paul Jackson, Jr.,

Harvey Mason Harvey William Mason (born February 22, 1947) is an American jazz drummer, record producer, and member of the band Fourplay. Mason, who attended Berklee in the 1960s, received an Honorary Doctorate at Berklee's 2015 Commencement Ceremony for ...

, Ernest Straughter. Musician and screenwriter Herbert Baker taught music and mentored Lawrence, who recalled Baker as "one of the greatest pianists who ever lived."

Discography

As leader

* 1974: ''

Bridge into the New Age ''Bridge into the New Age'' is an album by saxophonist Azar Lawrence which was recorded in 1974 and released on the Prestige label.Prestige) * 1975: ''Summer Solstice'' (Prestige) * 1976: ''People Moving'' (Prestige) * 2007 ''Legacy & Music Of John Coltrane'' (Clarion Jazz) - with Edwin Bayard * 2008 ''Speak The Word'' (Zarman Productions) - with

Nate Morgan Nate "Mrafu" Morgan (February 9, 1953A Tribute Fit for a Jazz Man

* 2009: ''Prayer For My Ancestors'' (Furthermore) * 2010: ''Mystic Journey'' (Furthermore) * 2014: ''The Seeker'' ( Sunnyside) * 2015: ''Conduit'' (Intofocus) - with Al McLean * 2016: ''Frontiers'' (Cellar Live) - with Al McLean * 2018: ''Elementals'' ( HighNote)

As sideman

With

Mulatu Astatke Mulatu Astatke (; French pronunciation: Astatqé; born 19 December 1943) is an Ethiopian musician and arranger considered as the father of "Ethio-jazz". Born in Jimma, Mulatu was musically trained in London, New York City, and Boston where he ...

*''Timeless'' (2010, Mochilla) With Henry Butler *''Fivin' Around'' (1986, Impulse!/MCA) With Miles Davis *'' Dark Magus'' (1977, Columbia, recorded 1974) With Henry Franklin *''If We Should Meet Again'' (2007, Skipper Productions) *''O, What A Beautiful Morning!'' (2008, Skipper Productions) *''Home Cookin (2009, Skipper Productions) With Gene Harris *'' In a Special Way'' (1976, Blue Note) With

*''

Bundle of Joy ''Bundle of Joy'' is a 1956 Technicolor musical remake of the comedy film ''Bachelor Mother'' (1939), which starred Ginger Rogers and David Niven. It stars Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (who were married in real-life at the time), and Adolphe ...

'' (1977, Columbia) With Elvin Jones *'' New Agenda'' (1975, Vanguard) With Franklin Kiermyer * ''Further'' (2014, Mobility Music) With Woody Shaw *'' The Moontrane'' (1974, Muse) With The 360 Degree Music Experience *'' In: Sanity'' (1976, Black Saint) With McCoy Tyner *''

Enlightenment Enlightenment or enlighten may refer to: Age of Enlightenment * Age of Enlightenment, period in Western intellectual history from the late 17th to late 18th century, centered in France but also encompassing (alphabetically by country or culture): ...

'' (1973, Milestone) *''

Sama Layuca ''Sama Layuca'' is a studio album by American jazz pianist McCoy Tyner, released in 1974 by Milestone Records. It was recorded on March 26, 27, and 28, 1974, featuring oboist/flautist John Stubblefield, alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, tenor saxophoni ...

'' (1974, Milestone) *'' Atlantis'' (1974, Milestone) With Harry Whitaker *''Black Renaissance'' (1976, Bay State/Ubiquity) With Eden Atwood *''Like Someone in Love'' (2010, Sinatra Society of Japan)

References

External links

*
Azar Lawrence video interview at allaboutjazz.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawrence, Azar 1952 births Living people American jazz saxophonists American male saxophonists Musicians from California Prestige Records artists 21st-century American saxophonists American male jazz musicians 21st-century American male musicians HighNote Records artists Sunnyside Records artists