Azar Lawrence, photo by Jay Jackson

Azar Lawrence's professional music life began in his late teens when he was asked to join Elvin Jones' band, Jazz Machine and immediately his stature in the jazz world placed him among the elder statesmen of post-bop. Lawrence was also the tenor saxophonist McCoy Tyner chose to use following John Coltrane's death. The  Azar Lawrence Quintet featuring Azar Lawrence on saxophones, Eddie Henderson on trumpet, Benito Gonzalez on piano, Essiet Okun Essiet on bass, and Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums will perform music celebrating John Coltrane and Elvin Jones at Dizzy's on Tuesday, October 23rd through Sunday, October 28th. Azar Lawrence played withAzar had met Benito Gonzalez when they played together with Kenny Garret at an appearance in Los Angeles. A few months later Azar and Benito began playing together and have been ever since. Azar and Eddie Henderson met during the time when he was with McCoy Tyner, and Eddie was with Herbie Hancock. 

Saxophonist, Azar Lawrence's musical studies began at age five. A classically trained violinist and pianist his formal instruction were under the direction of his late mother, music teacher and educator, Ima Lawrence. Born in 1952 at home on Los Angeles' famed Central Avenue, (Southern California's Jazz Mecca during the 1920's - 40's) the vibe of that scene clearly seeped into his musical consciousness. A member of the USC Jr. Orchestra (University of Southern California), from age five to eleven, he turned to Alto sax by age twelve. He was a member of the famed Dorsey High Jazz Band under the direction of Herbert Baker.

While in high-school he would meet the late Reggie Golson, and become an extended member of Benny Golson's family. And thanks to Reggie, Azar's professional music life began in his late teens when he was asked to join Elvin Jones' band, Jazz Machine, (after being introduced to Elvin by friend, Reggie) and immediately his stature in the jazz world placed him amongst the elder statesmen of post-bop.

While performing for years with Elvin Jones he headed up Fantasy/Prestidge Records, and several years he a member of McCoy's Quartet and also at that time he began doing studio work for Capitol Records as a songwriter, and was Executive Assitant for Stan Neufeld at Orion Pictures for Hollywood Squares and Outside Productions.

As a leader Azar Lawrence's seminal work, Bridge Into The New Age, 1974 lauded as a classic, was re-released twice over the past two years.  He worked with Skip Scarborough on the first instrumental version of Can't Hide Love, for his People Moving album and wrote three songs for Earth Wind & Fire's Powerlight album performing on keys.  His discography is diverse with names like Frank Zappa, Busta Rhymes and impressive where he performs on titles such as Woody Shaw's Moontrane, and Miles Davis', Dark Magus, recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1974.

Within the past three years, he's performed, written, and produced two CD's Speak The Word and Prayer For My Ancestors, (Prayer was given honorable mention for Best of 2009, AllAboutJazz/New York, January 2010) and also lead and co-produced a live tribute album, Legacy and Music of John Coltrane, 2006. Azar's latest production is Mystic Journey, on Furthermore Recordings. 

Eddie Henderson was blessed with knowing many famous musicians growing up. His stepfather was a doctor to people like Miles and Coltrane and Duke Ellington. His first informal lesson on the instrument at the age of nine was from Louis Armstrong. The family moved from Eddie's birth place, New York city, to San Francisco in 1954. From 1954 to 1957, Eddie studied trumpet, flugelhorn, and music theory at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and performed with the San Francisco Conservatory Symphony Orchestra.

Henderson would be influenced greatly by family friend Mile's Davis who stayed in his parents' house when he had performance dates in San Francisco during the late 1950's. At that time Eddie attended the conservatory studying classical music.  He learned from Miles (who would stay at the Henderson home while on tour in the Bay Area), "You should emulate, not imitate,” never having a formal lesson from Mile's he learned from him without words.

Henderson would attend medical school and during that time he was to be highly influenced by Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan. After medical school he began touring with Herbie Hancock, and later he would join Art Blakey's band and also played with Dexter Gordon, Roy Haynes, Jackie McLean, Joe Henderson, and McCoy Tyner. Playing with all of these greats opened the door for everything else that he would become.

Still in demand in the U.S., and internationally he plays Jazz festivals and venues throughout the world. Dr. Henderson became a faculty member in 2007 of the Music Division - Jazz Studies at the Julliard School in New York.

A native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Pianist Benito Gonzalez's musical life began in church. There he would play piano and organ for four years. Because traditional Venezuelan music possess many contemporary harmonies, by the time Benito heard jazz for the first time, "the colors were already in his head." The fusion of world rhythms and straight-ahead jazz make him a passionate performer and audience favorite all over the world. Benito Gonzalez is being recognized as an exciting pianist and composer for his well-received debut album, “Starting Point” (Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, Rene McLean, Ron Blake) and as winner of the 2005 Great American Jazz Piano Competition.

After two years touring with jazz master, Kenny Garrett, he added numerous festivals and international jazz club dates to his credit. Benito has shared the stage with Curtis Fuller, Pharaoh Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, Azar Lawrence, Christian McBride, Ignacio Berroa, Roy Hargrove, Rene McLean, Steve Turre, Hamiet Bluiett, Antonio Sanchez, T.K. Blue, Nicholas Payton and Jackie Mclean.

His multi-cultural talents have led to frequent recording dates; from American jazz masters to West African musicians to Latin bands. He has also served as musical director for several Venezuelan recording artists.

Jeff Watts © Andrea Canter

Taking up permanent residence in New York in 1983, Essiet became one of New York's premiere bassist. In 1988 he became a member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers until the famed drummer's passing. During the mid 90's he was invited to join an incarnation of the Blue Note Allstars which included Greg Osby Javon Jackson, Tim Hagens, Kevin Hays, and Bill Stewart. The Blue Note Allstars tours included Canadian Festivals, US tours, Europe and Japan. In 2000 he joined Danilo Perez's Motherland project for two years touring the US, Europe and Central America.

Too long to list Essiet has had an impressive freelance career playing with notables such as, Benny Golson, Bobby Hutcherson, Cedar Walton, Kenny Burrell, Azar Lawrence, Billy Higgins, Billy Hart, Art Farmer, Abby Lincoln, and Dee Dee Bridgewater to highlight only a partial list.

One of the most in demand jazz drummers in the world today, Jeff "Tain" Watts initially majored in classical percussion at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University, where he was primarily a timpanist, followed by enrollment at the Berklee School of Music, where he pursued jazz studies alongside such talented players as Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, Greg Osby, Aimee Mann, Steve Vai and Marvin "Smitty" Smith.

Dizzy's is located at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center Broadway at 60th Street, on the 5th Floor. For Reservations Call: 212 258-9595 or -9795. Seating is available on a first-come first-served basis either at tables or at the bar. For more information, visit: www.jalc.org/dccc

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