Chris Friesen Music

Jarrod Lawson is a composer, keyboardist, and singer who is inspired by Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway. Like those legends, he incorporates social and spiritual messages into his uplifting sound. His chops suggest a broad range of musical knowledge, including artists with a deeper connection to jazz; as a vocalist alone, he has been favourably compared to Al Jarreau and Mark Murphy. Lawson grew up surrounded by music. His father operated a recording studio in the family's California home. First attracted to the drums as a toddler, his interest in music continued to develop throughout his childhood. In college, he studied music and participated in a chamber choir and jazz ensemble. His reputation as a solo performer was built through gigs in Portland, opening for highly regarded R&B and jazz artists, and international tours. His harmonically rich self-titled debut album was a favourite of the BBC's Gilles Peterson, among other DJs and R&B fans who dug beneath the surface of commercial radio. “There is literally not enough ink in the world to be spilled proclaiming how amazing Jarrod Lawson’s self-titled debut is, we can’t help but feel we’ve not done nearly enough. Behind a deceptively understated and, dare we say, vanilla album cover lies one of the richest, rhythmic, and musically dynamic projects released in 2014.” - L. Michael Gipson, Soul Tracks “this soul-jazz jewel of an album is filled with more great songs, musicianship, and vocals than you’d get from any three projects by almost anyone else, not to mention enough addictive, funky riffs and apposite changes to keep you going for months, if not years. I can’t stop playing it and won’t be doing so for some considerable time. Way to set the standard, Jarrod. 5 stars.” - Chris Wells, Soul Sides Lineup: Jarrod Lawson Chris Friesen - Bass Cory Limuaco - Drums Trent Baarspul - Guitar