tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15313755261323223282024-03-13T05:50:57.719-07:00AzarJazzAzarJazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01944935587874860918noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531375526132322328.post-21962984177426853272010-09-12T20:33:00.000-07:002010-09-12T20:33:51.483-07:00Classical to Jazz - Jazz to Classical / Azar Lawrence at Chicago Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center September 27 and Carnegie Hall October 4 with The High Arts Society of Warsaw Poland / Frederic Chopin's 200th Birthday - "A Polish Jazz Celebration"<div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div id="internal-source-marker_0.6243668117094785" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: normal;"><div id="internal-source-marker_0.6243668117094785" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Press Release / September 13, 2010 Zarmedia - New York, NY, Chicago, Il, Los Angeles, Ca - Classical to Jazz - Jazz to Classical / </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Azar Lawrence </span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/TI2SbsddZYI/AAAAAAAAAF0/NB_xYC2U6Eo/s1600/chopin3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/TI2SbsddZYI/AAAAAAAAAF0/NB_xYC2U6Eo/s200/chopin3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div id="internal-source-marker_0.6243668117094785" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the early 20th Century a young girl named Ima Jeane Smith often went to the movies--Silent Pictures-- where the only sound was a live pianist, vamping dramatically in sync to the happenings on the screen. </span></div><div id="internal-source-marker_0.6243668117094785" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; white-space: pre-wrap;">Upon returning home from the pictures, Ima Jeane would sit down to her piano and play the "sound track" by memory. Her parents, Casey and Beulah recognized their daughter's gift and they provided her with formal lessons. Ima excelled in Classical music. She graduated from college with a Masters Degree in Music, an impressive achievement for any woman born in 1917.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After college she moved to Los Angeles, CA, became an educator, married and gave birth to two sons. Both sons inherited her artistic abilities. Her youngest son, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Azar Lawrence </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">received the music gene and under her direction formally began studying violin and piano. </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From age five to eleven he was a member (2nd Chair) of the (USC) University of Southern California Jr. Orchestra as a violinist. By the time </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Azar </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">graduated high-school in '68, he was a highly sought after Jazz musician. </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He mastered his chops on the horn as a band member of McCoy Tyner's, Miles Davis', and Elvin Jones' groups. In the late 70's when </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Azar Lawrence</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> "left" the Jazz scene, it was accurately stated by his mentor and fellow band mate Elvin Jones, that "</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Azar</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> had gone into the studio and was making good money." True. One of many notable productions he performed on is </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Marvin Gaye's </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'74 Grammy winner </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'Hear My Dear'.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Azar</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> signed with Fantasy/Prestige Records, produced three albums and throughout the 80's was a staff writer for Capitol Records and Assistant to Stan Neufeld of Orion Pictures where he worked in production for Hollywood Squares. In the 80's and 90's he performed with artists across various musical spectrums. </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He wrote four songs including the title on </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Stanley Turrentine's </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'Comin Home'</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> album; on that album he also played keyboards. He collaborated with </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maurice White</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> of </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Earth, Wind & Fire</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, writing three songs and performing keys on their </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'Powerlight'</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> album. His sound being present on many productions, Azar can also be seen performing on </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Busta Rhymes</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> highly praised 2005 video </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'In The Ghetto'.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On the cover of Azar's newest release, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mystic Journey</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (Furthermore Recordings)</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, it says, "Life is a Mystic Journey, Fulfill Your Destiny". </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mystic Journey</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> is ascending Azar to the limelight again. After enduring some trying times, he is back on solid footing and has returned to his roots, his </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Destiny</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mystic Journey</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> is under review by the Recording Academy for first round vote consideration for a possible 2010 </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Grammy</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> nomination in the Best Instrumental category. </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On occasion </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Azar</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> is contacted by some former student who reminds him of the impact made on him or her by </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ima Jeane Lawrence</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, classical pianist, educator and mother to the young violinist who became a jazz saxophone powerhouse in his late teens. She, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ima </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">has to be smiling from the great beyond as </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Azar</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> continues the legacy of music she bequeathed to him. </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Azar Lawrence</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> performs as special guest with the</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The High Arts Society, of Warsaw Poland - "Frederic Chopin's 200th Birthday Party - A Polish Jazz Celebration"</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Monday September 27 at the </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Chicago Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, 7:00 PM, 220 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 312.294.3000 and Monday October 4 at</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage,</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">8:00 PM. 881 7th Avenue, New York, NY - 212.247.7800</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Note: </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Azar's</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> first performance at Carnegie Hall was with </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Miles Davis</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> on the live recording '</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dark Magus.'</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; white-space: pre-wrap;">Press Release</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Contact Information</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Roman Kurowski </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cyberkur@gmail.com </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Linda G. /</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">zarmedia@gmail.com</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">admin@azarlawrence.com</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">www.azarlawrence.com </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Websites / Sources</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.chopinusa.pl/"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">HighArtsSociety - Warsaw Poland</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://cso.org/TicketsAndEvents/EventDetails.aspx?eid=3746"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Chicago Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/box_office/events/evt_16122.html?selecteddate=10042010"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Carnegie Hall</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=1ndRc19FbuoMdHJwNudh2DeIywOJ_dSXg3BZNsilzsje2c7_UtiUWvOksKlLh&hl=en&authkey=CMPAm6AJ"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">DownBeat Magazine 2010 - Mystic Journey </span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R201009101630/d"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">TheCaliforniaReport</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://straightnochaserjazz.libsyn.com/podcast_188_azar_lawrence_s_mystic_journeys"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">StraightNoChaserJazzPodcast - Azar Lawrence Mystic Journey</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGHmqE4ft8E"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1974 Warsaw Jazz Jamboree</span></span></span></span></a></div></div></span></div>AzarJazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01944935587874860918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531375526132322328.post-41451816788595064292010-08-14T16:00:00.000-07:002010-08-14T16:00:44.509-07:00CHASIN THE TRANE - MANY MILES TO GO / AZAR LAWRENCE / MYSTIC JOURNEY<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">August 15, 2010 / Zarmedia - Press Release / New York, NY/ Los Angeles, Ca / PRESS RELEASE - CHASIN THE TRANE - MANY MILES TO GO / AZAR LAWRENCE / MYSTIC JOURNEY</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/TGcfnt2mV-I/AAAAAAAAAFM/ugrBF5OpUX8/s1600/bluesalleyposter3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/TGcfnt2mV-I/AAAAAAAAAFM/ugrBF5OpUX8/s320/bluesalleyposter3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Traversing a musical landscape for over three decades Saxophonist, Azar Lawrence has had to navigate peaks, plains, valleys and the ofttimes tumultuous terrain that one may endure over a lifespan. He has weathered through some devastating life altering storms as do most who have witnessed and experienced generations of existence. </span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Starting out in jazz in the early 70's, he also delved into funk, fusion, R&B and sometimes rock, playing with and aside names like Patrice Rushen, Marvin Gaye, Frank Zappa and bands such as Earth, Wind & Fire and Boston. </span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Azar's current release Mystic Journey on Furthermore Recordings is an affirmation of his devotion to his calling that began in his preteens, after all by age twenty he had become a member of McCoy Tyner's band and by the time he was twenty-two Miles Davis would come calling. </span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lauded by critics as one of jazz's top releases of 2010, Mystic Journey is being submitted for 2010 Grammy nomination consideration, received four stars in DownBeat magazine and has ranked in the 20's for the last seven weeks on </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">JazzWeek</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gordon Marshall, AllAboutJazz</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> described Azar's playing as "a seamless concatenation of approaches that approximate, in a new context, Ali's [Rashied Ali] multi-directionality. Lawrence is another Coltrane disciple, but not just another one—an outstanding one." </span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lee Davis, City of the Angels</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> said, "The brilliance of Azar Lawrence, along with the last recordings of Rashied Ali makes "Mystic Journey" something special."</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eric Feber, </span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">of</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> The Pilot said "</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For heavenly jazz that soars and roars, “Mystic Journey” is a musical trip worth taking."</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Recently, Azar returned from a tour in Japan as part of the Chameleon Band, with whom he recorded during his fusion and funk days. It was a reunion with Harvey Mason and Patrice Rushen both of whom performed on his "spacey funk" '76 People Moving album. </span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Calls for studio sessions are once again frequent and as a member of the Cookers, George Cables, Billy Harper, David Weiss, et. al, Azar is once again performing along side Jazz icons such as those mentioned above. When asked to opine about his perception regarding his musical development, Azar says he's 'Chasin the Trane' and has an infinite number of 'Miles to Go’ to be within proximity. </span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Azar Lawrence Quintet - Azar Lawrence, (tenor, soprano sax) with Billy Hart, (drums); Benito Gonzalez, (piano); (Michael Bowie), bass and special guest Nicholas Payton (trumpet); will have a CD release and listening performance Wednesday, September 8th at Blues Alley - 1069 Wisconsin Avenue NW - Washington, DC 202.337.4141 Show Times: 8p & 10p, $35</span></span></span><span style="color: #3b1548;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #3445e3;"><a href="http://www.bluesalley.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">www.bluesalley.com</span></span></a></span><span style="color: #3b1548;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3b1548; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Press Release</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Contact Information</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Linda G.</span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">E-Mail: </span></span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3445e3; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">zarmedia@gmail.com</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #3445e3; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">admin@azarlawrence.com</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Baskerville; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Helvetica Neue'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.azarlawrence.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">www.azarlawrence.com</span></span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Helvetica Neue'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.furthermorerecordings.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">www.furthermorerecordings.com</span></span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Helvetica Neue'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://jazzpublicity.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://jazzpublicity.com/</span></span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Helvetica Neue'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://straightnochaserjazz.libsyn.com/podcast_188_azar_lawrence_s_mystic_journeys"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://straightnochaserjazz.libsyn.com/podcast_188_azar_lawrence_s_mystic_journeys</span></span></span></a></div></u></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>AzarJazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01944935587874860918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531375526132322328.post-27058794201256091962010-05-01T21:32:00.001-07:002010-05-01T21:32:55.456-07:00Azar Lawrence: Mystic Journey<a href=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=36159&pg=1>Azar Lawrence: Mystic Journey</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>AzarJazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01944935587874860918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531375526132322328.post-7423540223007280692010-03-24T11:10:00.001-07:002010-03-24T11:10:50.260-07:00Jazz | AllAboutJazz.com<a href=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=52236>Jazz | AllAboutJazz.com</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>AzarJazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01944935587874860918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531375526132322328.post-79504903155108095402010-03-01T15:40:00.001-08:002010-03-01T15:43:41.828-08:00A Gathering - Azar Lawrence featuring Benito Gonzalez @ Alvas Showroom Sat. 3.6.10<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/S4xQzQfbkEI/AAAAAAAAAD0/YnoQQd_UDHU/s1600-h/AzarLawrence7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/S4xQzQfbkEI/AAAAAAAAAD0/YnoQQd_UDHU/s320/AzarLawrence7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443814891114434626" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">A Gathering</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana; min-height: 13.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">On Saturday, March 6th 2010, Sax Legend Azar will Lawrence will be performing from his upcoming release Mystic Journey and has put together an outstanding lineup to perform with fellow band member, Benito Gonzalez.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana; min-height: 13.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">Azar Lawrence, tenor & soprano sax</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">Benito Gonzalez, piano (2005 winner Great American Piano Competition)</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">Gilbert Castellanos, trumpet</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">Tony Dumas, bass</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">Lorca Hart, drums</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana; min-height: 13.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">Alvas Showroom</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">1417 W. 8th St.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">San Pedro, Ca</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">Suggested donation: $20</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">Reservations: 800.403.3447</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana; min-height: 13.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">A killer line up and an excellent fit. All of the musicians from the Americas, South and North will be performing the music that has grown from centuries of gatherings that has culminated in the indigenous American art form.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana; min-height: 13.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">Azar Lawrence and Tony Dumas both native Angelenos have solid musical credentials. Tony having performed with Herbie Hancock, Carmen McCrae, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, The Manhattan Transfer, to name a few. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana; min-height: 13.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana">Grammy nominated jazz Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos whose Jazz roots began in his birthplace Guadlajara Mexico has performed and recorded with many of today's great jazz musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Charlie Hayden, Les Mccann and Poncho Sanchez and many others. Last but not least, Benito Gonzalez, Venezuela, 2005 winner Great American Piano Competition in from New York and young jazz drummer Lorca Hart whose musical roots were planted by his family, notably his father being Billy Hart round out an excellent line-up that promises to have Alvas Showroom in San Pedro, on fire and swinging!</p>AzarJazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01944935587874860918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531375526132322328.post-73510604397949201832010-01-09T11:14:00.001-08:002010-01-31T06:18:54.117-08:00For Immediate Release / Press Release -January 8, 2010 / Azar Lawrence / Mystic Journey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/S0jV-gP-hLI/AAAAAAAAADs/FMeNHIU3Hu8/s1600-h/dizzys-alsept5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/S0jV-gP-hLI/AAAAAAAAADs/FMeNHIU3Hu8/s320/dizzys-alsept5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424821020953314482" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; color:#010001;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">January 21, 2010</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#010001;"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Press Release</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Contact Information</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Linda G.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">E-Mail: zarmedia@gmail.com, admin@azarlawrence.com </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">For Immediate Release - Zarman Productions / Press Release / New York, NY - Los Angeles, Ca. January 21, 2010 / Azar Lawrence / Mystic Journey / Azar Lawrence Sextet</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">On the heels of his last release Prayer For My Ancestors, Azar Lawrence's new CD Mystic Journey on Furthermore Recordings is another solid production by the saxist and will be amongst 2010's great contributions to Jazz. On the recording Azar was joined by Eddie Henderson, Gerald Hayes, Benito Gonzalez, Essiet Okon Essiet, and the late great drummer Rashied Ali. Mystic Journey is scheduled to be released Spring 2010.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">For Azar Lawrence playing music is a continuum of his goal to reach a higher plane on a level that traces prodigiousness ground graced by the footprints of Parker, Gillespie, Miles, Coltrane, et.al. Music has a connatural ability causing a togetherness that trapezes artificial barriers.and back in the spotlight Azar's music is reaching people throughout the country and internationally whether live or through broadcast media.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 17.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Michael Nastos, AllMusicGuide, December 2009, said in his review of Prayer For My Ancestors, "Lawrence is able to fly into the sun without ever scorching his wings. He never discards the solid musical values in his sinewy hands since halcyon days as a sideman with McCoy Tyner, or his challenging, against the grain of trendy funk/fusion-era early-'70s recordings for Prestige Records. The difference between Lawrence and all the Coltrane wannabes is that he lived and breathed the music of the turbulent '60s, playing it with 'Trane's contemporaries and peers." </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">For those who have had a sneak preview of Mystic Journey, all agree the fiery saxophonist only gets better. Back on call he can and should be heard live whether with his quartet, quintet or sextet. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Azar Lawrence performs:</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Azar Lawrence Quartet featuring Benito Gonzalez, piano, Ronnie Burrage; drums, Essiet Essiet, bass and Azar, tenor and soprano saxes - Monday, February 8, 2010 - Blues Alley, 1069 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 202.337.4141 Show Times: 8p & 10p, $20 www.azarlawrence.com www.bluesalley.com. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Azar Lawrence presents Prayer For My Ancestors, featuring Amadou Fall and Ibrahim Ba - Friday, February 12, 2010 - WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park 2100 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 619.230.1190, Time: 8p Tickets: $15 www.azarlawrence.com www.worldbeatcenter.org</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Azar Lawrence Quartet featuring Benito Gonzalez - Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro, Ca Time: 8p & 10p, Suggested Donation $20, Ph. 310.519.1314 www.azarlawrence.com www.benitogonzalez.com www.alvasshowroom.com</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Azar Lawrence Quartet featuring Benito Gonzalez - Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at Yoshi's Oakland, 510 Embarcadero W. Oakland, CA Time: 8p, Tickets $16.00, Ph. 510.238.9200, www.azarlawrence.com www.benitogonzalez.com www.yoshis.com</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Azar Lawrence Quartet featuring Benito Gonzalez-Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Jimmy Maks, 221 NW 10th Ave. Portland, OR </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Show times: 8p & 10p Tickets $20 503.295.6542 www.azarlawrence.com www.benitogonzalez.com www.jimmymaks.com</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Azar Lawrence Quartet featuring Benito Gonzalez - Fri. & Sat. March 12 & 13, 2010 at DalyJazz, Missoula Montana Show Times: 8p & 10p, Musician donation $20, Tickets by reservation only - dalyjazz@gmail.com, http://www.myspace.com/dalyjazz, www.azarlawerence.com</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Azar Lawrence as part of the Brian Jackson, Lenny White project - Saturday, May 1, "It's Max Roach Time" - Kumble Theatre, Long Island University, Long Island, NY</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Azar Lawrence Sextet presents Mystic Journey-Friday, May 7, 2010 - Tribute to Lost Treasures, "Ali's Alley" Tribeca Performance Arts Center, New York, NY</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Azar Lawrence Quartet - Friday & Saturday, August 12 &13, Smalls Jazz Club, New York, NY</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p></span></span><p></p>AzarJazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01944935587874860918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531375526132322328.post-78146700491977481782009-10-26T18:06:00.000-07:002009-11-30T19:04:10.211-08:00For Immediate Release, New York, Ny/Los Angeles, Ca - October 25, 2009 /Azar Lawrence - New York State of Mind<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/SxSGat9nwmI/AAAAAAAAADQ/N8U4aMg0hIg/s1600/AzarYoshis.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/SxSGat9nwmI/AAAAAAAAADQ/N8U4aMg0hIg/s320/AzarYoshis.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410096845951582818" /></a><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">For Immediate Release, New York, Ny/Los Angeles, Ca - October 25, 2009 /Azar Lawrence - New York State of Mind</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Jazz Progenitor, Titan, and Giant ...... are words often used to describe Saxophonist Azar Lawrence. Azar has released three titles over the past few years and has a new production in the can, Mystic Dreams, featuring the Great Rashied Ali due out 2010. He has been playing throughout the country and divides his permanent residency between Los Angeles and New York. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">As a teen Elvin Jones asked Azar to join him in New York where he would become a member of Elvin's group, Jazz Machine. After a few years with Elvin he was asked to join McCoy Tyner's band where he is prominent on several of Tyner's productions. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0pxcolor:#232280;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">As he embarks on a continuous sojourn into jazz he has returned to his New York jazz roots to begin his Prayer For My Ancestor tour November 2009 at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Azar Lawrence is in residence!</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Azar will premiere Prayer For My Ancestors live with his septet </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#3b1548;">After Hours Tue-Sat, Nov 10-14, </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Azar Lawrence with Lorca Hart, Gerald Hayes, Benito Gonzalez, Essiet Essiet, Billy Hart (Nov 12-14 only) & Eddie Henderson (Nov 13-14 only) 12:45 am, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Frederick P. Rose Hall-33 West 60th Street, Fl. 11, New York, NY. Tickets $10-$20 212 258.9595</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; color:#261c88;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Other News . . . </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">"Azar Lawrence" - Prayer For My Ancestors, Azar’s recent recording, ranked No. 46 this week at <a href="http://azarlawrence.com/EPK/jazzweek.pdf"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px color:#000099;">JazzWeek</span></a>. It can be purchased at <a href="http://www.furthermorerecordings.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px color:#000099;">Furthermore Recordings</span></a> - <a href="http://azarlawrence.com/EPK/PrayerReview/praypres.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px color:#000099;">Prayer Tour</span></a></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#3d7db3;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Information</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">"Recent News", Azar's upcoming album, Mystic Dreams features his septet with our dearly departed Brother in music; Rashied Ali (d); Azar Lawrence, (t, s sax); Eddie Henderson, (t); Benito Gonzalez, (p); Essiet Essiet, (b); and Gerald Hayes, (a, sax) and will be released mid 2010. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0pxcolor:#261c88;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The quartet will be touring throughout 2010. Billy Hart originally scheduled to perform on Mystic Dreams will be holding down the beat on drums. Azar led this production in a recording that took place in New York, April 2009, he along with his fellow band members are honored to have swung with Jazz’s premiere drummer, who went home to be with the Ancestors August 2010. Heaven is Swinging! </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0pxcolor:#261c88;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Azar performs in a Tribute to John Gary featuring Azar Lawrence & Willie Williams, Tenor Saxophone; Onaje Allan Gumbs, p; Paul Beaudry, b; Alvester Garnett, d, @ The Bassline Cafe 130 E. 1st St. Mt. Vernon, NY, Sun, Nov 22, 3-6pm, $20 advance/$25 door <a href="http://www.vtyjazz.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px color:#000099;">Bass Line</span></a> 917.882.9539</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0pxcolor:#261c88;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Upcoming - Azar will be teaching a Jazz Masters class and will lead his quartet in a performance at Fayetteville State University, North Carolina. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">In 2010 Azar will performs with his septet featuring Billy Hart, (d), Eddie Henderson, (t); Benito Gonzalez, p; Essiet Essiet (b); and Gerald Hayes, (a, sax), May 2010, led by Azar in a "Tribute To Lost Treasures" - Ali’s Alley at the Tribeca Performing Art’s Center, New York, NY.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0pxcolor:#261c88;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Azar performs May 2010 at the Kumble Theatre, Long Island University, Long Island, NY It's Time "Max Roach" Tribute</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0pxcolor:#261c88;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; min-height: 13.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; color:#000099;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#000000;">Source: <a href="mailto:Zarmedia@gmail.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px">Zarmedia@gmail.com</span></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima; color:#000099;"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><a href="http://www.azarlawrence.com/">www.azarlawrence.com</a></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Los Angeles, Ca<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Optima"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">818.602.7831</span></p>AzarJazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01944935587874860918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531375526132322328.post-73325452187689719532009-09-25T15:45:00.000-07:002009-09-25T15:52:38.196-07:00Azar Lawrence - Interview by Bruce Anderson, Curator-Daly Jazz, Missoula, Montana<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/Sr1I3Ci36gI/AAAAAAAAACg/_f3mDDdg4lI/s1600-h/azarmontanavert.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/Sr1I3Ci36gI/AAAAAAAAACg/_f3mDDdg4lI/s320/azarmontanavert.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385540839818127874" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Azar Lawrence/Benito Gonzalez</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Azar Lawrence and I headed up to Twin Lakes, the A.B. Guthrie ranch on the East Front of the Rocky Mountains located 18 miles west of Choteau, Montana. We drove east from Missoula, quietly winding our way along the Blackfoot River. This isn’t a traditional way to decompress after most jazz gigs, and Azar happily soaked up the landscape on his first visit to the state named for Guthrie’s novel “The Big Sky”. Venezuelan pianist Benito Gonzalez left Montana in the morning to return to New York. In the airport we listened quickly to a new composition he had been working on, and we talked a little about Joey Calderazzo, Louis Perdomo and Geoffrey Keezer. Benito’s characteristically broad smile was tired and a bit wistful. He’d just finished playing two exhilarating nights with Azar Lawrence at DalyJazz in Missoula. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As we drove, I asked Azar about his days playing with McCoy Tyner.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“You toured quite a bit with McCoy back in the ‘70’s, like 5 years or something, right? What was that like gigging with him?” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I’ll tell you what. I was playing with McCoy, it was at the Montreux festival. At the hotel they had all the trumpet players on one floor, saxophone players on another, etc. Everyone was there. I mean, everyone! Stitt, Rollins, Moody, Ammons, Cannonball….you name it. I was scared just to practice! Stuck a towel in my horn, you know, hoping nobody would hear me.” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“When was that?”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I don’t know, it was about the time “Enlightenment” was recorded in the ‘70’s.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“That must have been a great time, you were just in your early 20’s.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Man, I was terrified. I got up to go on stage, started climbing the steps and I had to walk by Stitt and Cannonball first. Then I looked out and seated in the front row were Woody Shaw, Bobby Hutcherson, and I don’t know who all else. Everybody!” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Yep, I’m getting the picture. So how did the music sound?” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“It must have sounded good…McCoy thought it was one of his best nights ever. He was pretty enthusiastic. Later I saw Stitt sitting at the bar and he waved me over. I asked him for a lesson. We went up to his room and he says, play me a blues. Imagine that, playing the blues for Stitt….” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Stitt was pretty strong, I don’t think he ever made a bad recording in his life.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Strong? Are you serious? He was one bad ass horn player!” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Since leaving Missoula a few hours ago, we’ve been exchanging small talk and occasional glimpses of our lives. The weather, bad roofing jobs we’ve both done, places we’ve lived, a couple memories of great musicians we’ve heard play. A lot of it is little stuff – but sometimes mixed with the big things - the loss and joy of caring for loved ones, and what seems to make sense about life. We talked only a little about Azar’s remarkable performances of the last two nights…though I was certain we’re both still immersed in the music, the afterglow of what happened, and the wonder of what could be. By now somewhere over Nebraska at 30,000 feet, Benito Gonzalez was certainly thinking the same, staring at his tray table in the locked and upright position. You can’t play or hear jazz at Azar’s level without the experience changing your life -either for the day, or quite possibly forever. I asked him about Atlantis, the second jazz album I owned at age 12.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“You recorded the album “Atlantis” live at Keystone Corner with McCoy. What do you remember about that gig?”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I remember that McCoy showed me the tunes in the morning, right before the gig that night. He played through them and I jotted down some quick notes. I had to remember everything until we recorded live a few hours later. I’d never played any of it all the way through until we hit. McCoy was always doing that. We’d get off the boat or plane or whatever, go to the gig, and he’d just start the tune. I’d have to figure it out from the intro.” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We stopped for gas but the only service station had no working pumps. We continued over Rogers Pass with only a quarter tank. Azar seemed a little nervous about that. I reminded him of the Sonny Rollins album “Way Out West,” and suggested that running out of gas could always provide a great photo opportunity - plus an empty tank would give him a chance to practice. In a few minutes, the entire East Front of the Rocky Mountains opened up before us. Clouds and rolling hills created a patchwork quilt of sunshine on the plains. The view stretched a hundred miles, nearly to Canada. A faded sign said “Welcome to Beef Country.” I told Azar, “Don’t worry man…I’m a vegetarian too. We’re going to survive this, promise.” Azar replies, “Yeah, it’s hard on the road. Even the salads have meat, you gotta pick that stuff out. For a while I ate venison, really got into it. But I’m back eating mostly vegetarian. I run a clean program now.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Hey, so what’s your typical practice routine?,” I asked.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I practice everyday, sometimes eight or more hours. I start with long tones up and down the horn, 10 on each note. I play until I can hear the note start to merge with the other notes, get closer you know, until I can hear them together. Then I do the chromatics, play them till it’s smooth. The horn starts to feel glassy. Then the diatonics, scales.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“So you’ve been playing for what, 3 or 4 hours at this point?”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Yeah, I’m short on time…more than that to get through the scales. I’ll work intervals and other stuff later.” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“How does your lip hold up with all that?”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Well, you got to practice. If you put the horn down, it just turns right back into a piece of metal. You’ve got to start over again.” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We turned left at Bowman’s Corners, north to a small ranching town called Augusta. Azar was quiet; I saw the landscape had pulled him in. Left to my own thoughts, I replayed the first set on Friday night. About half the audience was comprised of working or former musicians, some of whom had driven 4 or more hours to hear Azar and Benito. I stood close to the drummer, a very young local player named Sam McKenzie who had practiced Azar’s set list for weeks. He was terrified. I leaned over and told him to breath.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The first tune was John Coltrane’s “Moment’s Notice,” and it opened up like a thunderclap. I watched everyone’s eyes open wide as Azar’s horn fills the room. The Yamaha grand shook as Benito pounced on the head. Bozeman bass player Craig Hall dug in, grinning from ear to ear. Sam hung on tight and stuck to his knitting. He was still breathing. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pianist Benito Gonzalez is a huge talent and physical player. He rocks back and forth as he plays. His arms and hand position change continuously. The piano becomes liquid and alive in his hands. He takes the rhythm section on a tour through eight choruses that raise the energy in the room to a boil. The audience comes alive. Benito’s flashing smile fills the room.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Azar stepped back in and as he started to blow, it became clear the gospel was going to be delivered. And indeed it was - chorus after chorus of heartfelt music straight from this gentle jazz giant’s soul. I watched tenor players in the audience. An older professional who’d heard Dexter and ‘Trane play live is grinning, a second young tenor player’s cheeks are flushed bright red. Within a few short minutes, the room was completely transformed. Both jazz elite and jazz innocent were mesmerized by the synergy of Azar Lawrence and Benito Gonzalez. These two were absolutely on fire. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I replayed the images and music as we drove. “So Azar, how did you meet Benito Gonzalez?,” I asked. Azar says, “Benito was playing with Kenny Garrett at Catalina’s in LA. I sat in and we connected. I saw Benito again later at Bill Saxton’s place on 133</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">rd</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> in New York. I didn’t recognize Benito at first, but I recognized the sound. The next time we played was at Dizzy’s. In fact, we’ll be playing Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club for a week with Essiet Essiet and Rashied Ali in November, you should come check that out.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We watched a hawk flying with a snake in its talons. The wind picked up over the plains, and I checked the gage. I figured we could always stop at a nearby ranch for gas. We shared some brief thoughts about greats like Elvin Jones, Nate Morgan, McCoy, and Steve Lacy. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“You gigged with Jaco Pastorious for a while, what was that like?”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Jaco, me and some other cats were booked as an all-star tour in Europe. A drummer named Whitey set us up, booked the gigs. One time at JFK, Jaco gets into it with Whitey and Jaco just runs off the plane just as we’re about to pull away from the gate. So we all climbed off the plane. We eventually found Jaco down at a club in town, and caught a flight the next day. Turned out he’d dropped three tabs of acid.” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“How did it go when you finally got to Europe?”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“It was still crazy. I was put in charge of Jaco, I was his keeper. One night we were playing the Sunset club in Paris, and Jaco is floating in the bathtub with all his clothes on. He kept missing gigs, showing up late. But without Jaco, there was no gig. He was the top bass player in the world. He could get an attitude, but Jaco was always good to me. We knew each other long before he became famous, and he always treated me with respect.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our discussion drifted back to saxophone. We’d talked about sound before the opening night. Saxophone players spend endless hours switching horns and mouthpieces in search of a voice. Azar tried out my vintage ‘62 Mark VI in his hotel room. I knew it had some leaks, but I was curious to see what that instrument would sound like in his hands. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“What mouthpiece are you playing on these days?”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I play a Berg, but I still carry my Link and play on that too.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Is that what you played when you were gigging with McCoy?”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I think it was a Berg, maybe Link. I once played 10* Link. I have lots of mouthpieces; you know, you can never throw one of those away.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Mark VI sounded like Azar no matter what mouthpiece or reed he tried out. We laughed about that: no matter what, you always sound like you. You’re stuck with yourself. A person has got to make peace with that to move on. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Azar is often compared to John Coltrane. That comparison has been around since Azar started gigging and recording at age 20 with McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones. I think not so much because he sounds like John Coltrane, but because Azar is one of a handful of players who carries the fire of Trane. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“So what do you think about critics and reviewers that frequently compare you to Trane?” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“It’s an honor.” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I mean, sometimes those comparisons are made as more of a critique, you know…”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“It’s still an honor. I never set out to sound like Trane. I never sat down and transcribed his solos or practiced licks or anything like that. Everyone has sound, a feeling. Mine is what it is. McCoy did tell me once that he thought John and I felt the music the same way.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It is true that Azar does love to play tunes from Coltrane’s book. He’s played many of them in the last few days- “I Want to Talk about You,” “Impressions,” “Every time We Say Goodbye,” “Good Bait,” “Nancy,” “Resolution,” “Afro Blue,” “Lonnie’s Lament,” “Body and Soul.” And it’s also true that Azar’s searching clear voice on the horn probably resembles ‘Trane’s more than any player on the jazz scene, except perhaps for Pharoah Sanders. Like Pharoah, Azar is a gatekeeper of the spirit.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I asked “So, do you and Pharoah stay in touch?” “Yeah, we talk once and a while,” he says “We used to go down to this fish place.” “I mean, did you guys ever consider collaborating ?” “Oh, we see each other now and then. I sat in with him down at the Jazz Bakery recently. He played harmony on Naima, stuff like that.” Azar is above all a modest soul. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">About 15 miles out from the ranch rain poured buckets. I told Azar, “This is usually when I put on “Transition.” Pointing to the I-Pod he says “Oh yeah, man…you got ‘Transition’ on that thing? Billy Hart tried to play that on the phone a few months ago. I haven’t heard it in years…but I know I could feel it when I heard it.” I said, “Are you sure - you want to hear that now?” Azar replied, “Yeah man, let’s hear it.” </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So I put “Transition” on. This is mid-late Trane, 15 minutes of soaring, sacred music with Elvin, McCoy, and Garrison recorded in 1965. I suppose only a few non-jazz musicians or fans really know this recording. Beneath dark clouds wind pushed the truck around. In the distance lightning was hitting the peaks, and the wind was howling. McCoy finished his solo, and Trane started to play. He was in full flight and the hair on my arms was standing straight up, just as it did when Azar played the last couple nights with Benito. Garrison delivered the last note as we drove onto the ranch. I looked over at Azar and we were both wiping tears from our eyes. He talked about the music in spiritual terms, with wonder, about being in touch with a creator. I told him I’d once gotten a copy of the transcription by Andrew White. I started to say “I figured out pretty quickly….” - and we finished the sentence nearly in unison -“…it’s not about the notes.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We pulled up to the cabin and the first thing Azar did was get out his horn. Long tones, chromatics, scales. After the rain, he took a long look at the mountains from a hill above the lake. He took a deep breath, and later came the ballads…”My Ship,” “My One and Only Love,” “Nancy.” As dusk fell, floating through the aspen trees and drifting in the western breeze were more than just notes, and frankly, more than simply music. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Azar Lawrence’s new release “Mystic Dreams” is anticipated for summer 2010 and features Rashied Ali (dr), Eddie Henderson (t), Benito Gonzalez (pn), Essiet Essiet (b), and Gerald Hayes, (a, sax). </span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Footnote: Rasheid Ali passed away in Manhattan on August 12, shortly after this article was written. He was 76.</span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By: Bruce Anderson, Curator of DalyJazz - Missoula,Montana</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 10.0px Times New Roman; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p>AzarJazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01944935587874860918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531375526132322328.post-6883292331544950192009-09-25T15:29:00.000-07:002009-09-25T15:40:40.144-07:00Azar Lawrence-Big Sky Country - DalyJazz<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/Sr1GUQzGlvI/AAAAAAAAACY/Gn6jv4u0OEE/s1600-h/montana4.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/Sr1GUQzGlvI/AAAAAAAAACY/Gn6jv4u0OEE/s320/montana4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385538043325617906" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/Sr1ErIluj-I/AAAAAAAAABw/2Vl0RVSRpKg/s1600-h/montana2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mlBR3MYaKBs/Sr1ErIluj-I/AAAAAAAAABw/2Vl0RVSRpKg/s320/montana2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385536237235769314" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Big Sky Country</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When I was a little girl my mother put the fear of God into me when it came to thunder and lightning. Alice was a cousin I would never meet. According to my West Indian mom, during a rainstorm Alice was standing near a curtain looking out the window and was struck by lightening and died. Since then I've been afraid of lightning. Thunder I could take since it was just clouds bumping into each other -- but lightening is electricity and deadly. Whenever we had a storm I thought of my cousin Alice standing near the window holding onto the curtains looking at a lightening storm as she was struck.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Recently I was on a flight to Missoula, Montana, and there was a little turbulence as we were about to land. My seat mate asked me is that lightning? I replied, no it's the lights on the wings and it looks like a Twilight Zone episode. Turns out it was lightning but I was not afraid for some odd reason for the first time in my life.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The following day I went to DalyJazz, a private venue on a tree-lined street of Colonial Revival homes. I had just left a heat wave in Southern California that week and apparently it followed me to Montana. I was standing outside a darkening sky as black clouds began to roll in. Yet again I had no fear. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It was time to go inside and although it was beautiful, the raindrops were getting bigger, the clouds darker and the wind was closing the doors and picturesque windows on the architecture that grace Daly Avenue. But it was time to sit down for the reason that brought me, and world class saxophonist Azar Lawrence to Missoula. Bruce Anderson of DalyJazz had put in a request for Azar to perform at the venue. He asked me to recommend a piano player and naturally I suggested Azar's pianist of choice, Venezulan-born Benito Gonzalez. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">People began to assemble and sit down. Bruce made the introduction as the room became quiet. Azar began one of his customary solos to warm up the crowd in readiness for the journey. There was appreciative applause as the rhythm section began to kick in. Time to swing. Azar surrendered the floor as he walked off to take a breather and the crowd went wild. People gasped. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When Azar resumed the journey with the sidemen audience members shook their heads in amazement and some were reduced to tears when the band played Body and Soul. Bodies were swaying, heads were bopping and teenage musicians were awestruck, holding tightly to their posters and CDs in anticipation of meeting the great tenor sax player.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Benito Gonzalez played the keys as if the drops of the rain outside inspired him. His mighty fingering created a deluge of sound, which was met by uproarious approval. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Craig Hall, a bassist from Bozeman, was swinging in delight as he followed Benito's lead. He played the strings with total abandon as he swung his bass back and forth and his head was moving side to side as he played with a great young drummer. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sam McKenzie, a drummer from Missoula, looked to be in his late teens and kept time as if Elvin Jones were sitting next to him. He knew every change and beat as if the the great elders, John Coltrane and Elvin were smiling down from their celestial perches. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Azar played for two nights. Mention needs to be made of Richard Ostheimer also, as he took Sam's place the second night. Richard mesmerized the audience as he interpreted Coltrane's music.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The music was thick; Azar on bended knees soloed and had the rhythm section shaking their heads. He walked away to take in some fresh Montana air after blowing hundreds of notes with barely a breath, Benito playfully tossed a piece of sheet music at his head as if to say "Man, you are in the zone and we're gonna need some church fans in here pretty soon."</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Nightfall moved in. I was back outside listening to the sweet sound of Azar Lawrence playing My Favorite Things on soprano. I was standing under huge maple and spruce trees in the dark as lightening started up. The soprano burned my stomach. I was not afraid standing under those century-old trees as lightening struck under the Big Sky that is Montana. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When the musicians were done, the air was cooler as the stars came back, bigger as the Azar Lawrence Quartet performed another smoking stormy set.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">End of a Montana weekend.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica; min-height: 22.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">By Linda G.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Zarmedia</span></span></p></div>AzarJazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01944935587874860918noreply@blogger.com0