Lawrence, Azar
Furthermore, 2022, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 28.1
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 76
O’s Notes: Saxophonist Azur Lawrence drifts towards the contemporary side of jazz on New Sky. He leads a band that includes John Beasley & Nduduzo Makhathini on keyboards, Sekou Bunch (b), Tony Austin (d), Munyngo Jackson (perc), Destiny Muhammad & Lynne Fiddmont on harp, guitarists James Saez, Greg Poree & Gregory Moore, and vocalists Calesha Murray, Oren Waters & Lynne Fiddmont. They open with a mid-Eastern vibe for “All In Love”, soften the mood with female vocals on “New Sky” and move to a soulful swing on “Ain’t No Doubt About It” and get a little funky on “Just Because Of You”. It’s easy to embrace with varied tempos and style.
Publicist: BluJazz
