Lawrence Jones

Jazz flautist Lawrence Jones has gained international recognition through creating his own unique style as a musician. Some of his most recent collaborations have been a European tour with saxophonist David Murray and vocalist Macy Gray, drummer – George Johnson, vocalist – Joe Lee Wilson, Roy Hilton, Bobby Durham and countless others. "His personal approach to jazz puts the listener right up there on the stage with the band. Jones’ vocals, sax and flute hypnotise with their delicate airs; it’s magic." Cadence Jazz Review The Philadelphian-born musician began playing the flute at the age of eight, and gravitated toward an interest in classical music during his high school years. It was at West Philadelphia High that Jones began studying baritone saxophone, and his interest in jazz began. While in high school, Jones had the privilege to perform a concert with saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. and from that moment his ambition to create a voice for flute in the jazz world began. In 1977, the aspiring musician moved to Boston where he spent four years as a scholarship student at Berkelee College of music studying flute, sax, clarinet and composition. During these years, he began performing and recording with such well-known artists as Buddy Rich, Phil Wilson, Branford Marsalis, Mariam McPartlard, John Williams and Kevin Eubanks. In 1981 Jones moved to Los Angeles where he was active as a freelance musician, performing with vocalist Chaka Khan and playing for jingles and and several theatre productions. In 1984 Jones moved to New York and immediately became active performing with the likes of trumpeter Johnny Coles, saxophonist Bootsie Barnes, vocalist Rachelle Farrell and Branford Marsalis. During this time, he formed a very tight and popular jazz quartet, L.J.Q, featuring pianist Sid Simmons, bassist James Hicks Glenn and drummer Webb Thomas. In 1987, Jones was invited to the Bahamas to initiate a jazz programme in the school system there. Whilst there, he teamed up with the Bahamian recording artist Jay Mitchell and toured throughout the Bahama Islands. In 1992 Jones became a member of jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim’s big band ‘Ekaya’ and performed in several jazz festivals including New Orleans, North Sea and Vienne, France. Currently Jones lives in England, and leads one of the country’s longest running jazz nights at Brighton’s ‘Lion and Lobster’ venue. He has released seven self-produced albums including Destiny, featuring legendary drummer Bobby Durham and his latest release The Dancing Man that showcases his vocal talent. He was also featured in the award winning documentary ‘Compared to What’. Easily one of the best jazz groups in Brighton – and beyond Brighton Source