Deep, Swinging, Fresh Playing
New Yawkuh | Queens, NY United States | 05/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Arnie Lawrence (a cult favorite "musician's musician around NY for many years) improvises with searing honesty, great depths of emotion, powerful swing, and wild inventiveness. He's music to the ears of listerners sick of musicians who play it safe, copy others and cop attitudes. Lawrence, one of the last of the great jazz romantics, can not possibly leave you cold. His music is fresh, vital, and vibrant.This record captures Lawrence at the top of his game, and features a rare appearance by Ram Ramirez, who wrote Lover Man. But everyone on the album plays beautifully, inspired by Lawrence's deep listening and infectious soulfulness.I've traveled the world in my career as a jazz musician, and this record (it originally came out in the early 80's on vinyl) was one of my inspirations for getting into the field. It's that good, and it's not quite like anything else you've ever heard. Check it out, and spread the word."
The Legacy of a Genius lives on!
Dave Sooch aka Dj I, Storm | Brooklyn, baby! | 11/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Late saxophonist Arnie Lawrence, one of my mentors, is truly an unsung hero. He's the founder of The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music in NYC which played host to a playground of monsters: Larry Goldings, Lars Moehler, Jesse Davis, Brad Mehldau, Peter Bernstein, Miri Ben-Ari, Rob Reddy, Jay Rodriguez, members of Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler, & The Authority (my former band). I can honestly say that he's the most influential musician I've studied/performed with in all my life.
He was a dedicated & special teacher + a sensitive & genius musician -- mostly known as a sideman w/ Chico Hamilton, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Willie Bobo, Beaver Harris, Teresa Brewer and Chuck Israels, Frank Foster, Helen Humes, Roland Hanna and Duke Pearson.
Arnie recorded sides with:
- Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (under Urbie Green's direction)
- punk pioneer Genya Ravan
- James Brown
- British rocker Ian Hunter
- Chico Hamilton
- Johnny Richards
His bands:
TREASURE ISLAND (self-titled album) feat. trumpeter Tom Harrell, percussionist Badal Roy, and former Ellington violinist/trumpeter Ray Nance - 1979 (Dr. Jazz Records)
CHILDREN OF ALL AGES feat. Bob Dorough, Richard Davis, Dick Hyman, and the Brecker Brothers
Arnie Lawrence - "Look Toward a Dream" (w/ Larry Coryell/Richard Davis/Roy Haynes) 1968
Arnie Lawrence - "Renewal" (w/ Hamilton/Hilton Ruiz/Billy Hart) 1981
His symphony "Red, White and Blues" was debuted by the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra in 1985 with Lawrence, Gillespie and Julius Hemphill as featured soloists.
His latest project was a successful program in Israel, bringing Jews and Arabs together through music. The ICCM (International Center for Creative Music) in Jerusalem is an educational facility where young Israelis and Palestinians study music and life skills together along with students from around the world.
Arnie Lawrence and his BAND OF ANGELS have been showcased in special concerts in New York, California, and Florida, as the featured band of the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference (2001, 2002, as seen on CNN Worldbeat monthlong feature broadcast to 215 nations) and in Beijing as part of The China Tour (2001, as seen on China Cultural Television (CTT) and Israel Television), as well as opening Daniel Pearl World Music Day (Oct, 2003, CNN & ITV News) from the King David Hotel and the West Jerusalem YMCA Terrace.
Arnie also promoted two charities working for peace and for the safety of children in conflict areas:
- GOD BLESS THE CHILD
- BLUES FOR PEACE
We miss him dearly!
We'll never forget him!
"
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1