Saxophone great Azar Lawrence to play Pierce Street Jazz

On Wed., Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. Lawrence, backed by a trio of veteran performers will serve as the featured artist for La Sierra’s ongoing concert series, Pierce Street Jazz. Renowned jazz industry musicians Henry “the Skipper” Franklin, bass, Theo Saunders, piano, and Ramon Banda, drums will round out the quartet. 

Lawrence spent his early childhood learning classical piano and violin before an introduction to the saxophone changed his musical direction. After playing in the Horace Tapscott Arkestra during high school, Lawrence jumped into a lengthy jazz career during his late teens that has included extensive work with such legends as Muddy Waters, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones and Miles Davis. His performance during Davis’ famed live recording at New York City’s Carnegie Hall titled “Dark Magus” received wide acclaim.

Lawrence’s broad musical credits include work with Frank Zappa, Busta Rhymes, Roberta Flack, Marvin Gaye, and many other top acts. During the 1980s he wrote and performed for Earth, Wind & Fire on their certified gold release, “Powerlight,” and co-wrote 20 songs for such projects as Stanley Turentine’s “Coming Home.” He has released numerous albums of his own, including “The Seeker” which was released this year.

Lawrence’s Pierce Street Jazz band members possess their own impressive resumes which include work with Freddie Hubbard, David “Fathead” Newman, Barbara Morrison, Gladys Knight, Al Jarreau, Stevie Wonder, Milt Jackson, Hugh Masekala, Poncho Sanchez, Dizzie Gillespie, Tito Puente, Chick Corea and many others.

Pierce Street Jazz is held at the Troesh Conference Center, Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, CA. Admission is free. For further information call 951-785-2148.