Biography
Azar Lawrence, born November 3, 1952 in Los Angeles, California, is a renowned American jazz saxophonist celebrated for his dynamic contributions to jazz fusion and post-bop. Raised in a musically gifted family, Lawrence began playing violin at age five under the guidance of his mother Ima Lawrence, a music teacher and choir director. By age thirteen, he had transitioned to saxophone, inspired by the vibrant Los Angeles jazz scene and the influence of family friends and local musicians[2][3].
Lawrence's early career flourished at Dorsey High School's Jazz Workshop and through performances with Horace Tapscott's Pan Afrikan Arkestra. By his late teens, he was collaborating with legendary artists such as Ike & Tina Turner, War, and the Watts 103rd Street Band. At nineteen, he joined Elvin Jones, John Coltrane's drummer, for a three-and-a-half-year tenure, solidifying his reputation as a formidable saxophonist. Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Lawrence worked with jazz luminaries including McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Woody Shaw, and contributed to landmark albums like Earth, Wind & Fire's "Powerlight" and Marvin Gaye's "Here, My Dear"[1][3][4][5].
Lawrence's musical style is deeply rooted in the spiritual and technical innovations of John Coltrane, yet he has forged a distinct voice characterized by fiery technique and lyrical expressiveness. His solo albums, such as "Bridge Into The New Age," "Summer Solstice," and "People Moving," are considered classics of the jazz fusion era. After a period of relative quiet, Lawrence reemerged in the 2000s, continuing to inspire audiences with original compositions and performances that blend tradition with personal innovation[3][5].
Fun Facts
- Azar Lawrence began his musical journey on violin at age five, performing with the Los Angeles Junior Symphony[2][3].
- He played with the Ike & Tina Turner band and the Watts 103rd Street Band before fully committing to jazz[3][5].
- Lawrence co-wrote three songs for Earth, Wind & Fire's platinum album "Powerlight" with Maurice White[7].
- His 2018 album "Elementals" reached #2 on the Jazz Weekly charts[3].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Ima Lawrence - Mother and first music teacher; shaped Azar's early musical development. (Early violin and piano instruction, church choir performances.) [1950s-1960s]
- Herbert Baker - Pianist and mentor; led jazz workshops attended by Azar. (Dorsey High Jazz Workshop, private instruction.) [1960s]
- John Coltrane - Stylistic influence; Lawrence is considered one of the most authentic Coltrane-influenced tenor players. (Inspired Lawrence's approach to saxophone and composition.) [1960s onward]
Key Collaborators
- Elvin Jones - Joined Jones's band for 3.5 years, performing and recording. (Live performances, recordings.) [Early 1970s]
- McCoy Tyner - Regular sideman and recording artist. (Albums and live performances.) [1970s]
- Miles Davis - Performed and recorded as sideman. (Live at Carnegie Hall (1978), other sessions.) [Late 1970s]
- Freddie Hubbard - Recording and performance collaborator. (Various albums and sessions.) [1970s]
- Earth, Wind & Fire - Co-wrote songs and performed on "Powerlight" album. ("Powerlight" (1983)) [1983]
- Marvin Gaye - Performed on "Here, My Dear" album. ("Here, My Dear" (1978)) [1978]
- Woody Shaw - Collaborated on recordings and performances. ("Bridge Into The New Age" and other projects.) [1970s]
Artists Influenced
- Lynne Fiddmont - Vocalist in Azar Lawrence Experience; influenced by Lawrence's leadership and style. (Azar Lawrence Experience performances.) [2010s-present]
- Chris Lowery - Trumpeter in Azar Lawrence Experience; mentored and inspired by Lawrence. (Azar Lawrence Experience performances.) [2010s-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| People Moving | 2023-05-19 | Album |
| Summer Solstice | 1975-01-01 | Album |
| Bridge Into The New Age | 2017-11-03 | Album |
| Shadow Dancing | 2021-11-05 | Album |
| Elementals | 2018-03-06 | Album |
| Frontiers | 2017-01-13 | Album |
| Shadow Dancing | 2021-11-05 | Album |
| Shadow Dancing | 2021-11-05 | Album |
| Bridge Into The New Age | 2017-11-03 | Album |
| Frontiers | 2017-01-13 | Album |
| Frontiers | 2017-01-13 | Album |
| Further | 2014-01-08 | Album |
| Platinum | 2011-06-14 | Album |
| Cast The First Stone | 2010-11-15 | Album |
| Cast the First Stone | 2010-11-04 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Can't Hide Love (People Moving)
- The Awakening (People Moving)
- People Moving (People Moving)
- Novo Ano (Summer Solstice)
- Summer Solstice (Summer Solstice)
- Theme For A New Day (People Moving)
- Canticle For The Universe (People Moving)
- Fatisha (Bridge Into The New Age)
- Kickin' Back (People Moving)
- Gratitude (People Moving)
External Links
Tags: #contemporary-jazz, #fusion, #jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
Azar Lawrence has been played 4 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2025 | 18:24 | Walk Spirit, Talk Spiritfrom Mystic Journey | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Charles Burchell | |
| Nov 19, 2025 | 07:55 | Solar Windsfrom Elementals | The Morning Setw/ Breaux Bridges | |
| Oct 26, 2025 | 13:52 | Haunted Housefrom Tradion Creole | Cajun and Zydecow/ Charles Laborde or Jim Hobbs | |
| Oct 9, 2025 | 18:32 | Walk Spirit, Talk Spiritfrom Mystic Journey | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Keith Hill |