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Arnie Lawrence

"A world without music would be truly a wasteland"

Listen to Arnie Lawrence Concert

Arnie Lawrence - a message from his son Erik

It is with great reverence that I share the news that my father, Arnie Lawrence, has passed from this earth Friday, April 22nd, 2005 near his home in Israel after a brief illness. A master saxophonist and legendary teacher, he put his heart and soul into his music, into teaching and gave a large piece of it to anyone who needed it. His accomplishments go far beyond what my meager mind can express on this or any day.

His career spanned from sitting at the feet of Ben Webster to "rock and roll guru" and honorary member of many bands, including Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors. He created the New School Jazz program, and an even further reaching program in Israel, bringing Jews and Arabs together through music. We are all his children and his message of love and creativity will continue to grow. I remember Pops telling me that Ben Webster advised "You're only as good as your rhythm section" when he was 16 years old. I can't tell you how many rhythm section players have told me they never played as well as they played with him.

Oddly, I heard the news of his passing just before entering a recording studio in Brooklyn, near where he was born. I was playing his old King alto, we were to play a traditional African funeral march. When I finally got myself together to walk into the studio there were two framed album covers on the wall, chosen because the engineer's girlfriend liked the '60's style artwork. My father had played on both of them. I figured perhaps I was doing just what I was supposed to be doing.

May peace and music be with you always.

Erik Lawrence

Arnie Lawrence's Band of Angels

Nizar Francis - Oud & Vocals
Wisam Aram - Darbuka
Elias Habib - Daf & Percussion
Daniel Ron - Piano & Surprise Guests

Arnie Lawrence and his Band of Angels have been showcased in special concerts in New York, California, and Florida, as the featured band of the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference (2001, 2002, as seen on CNN Worldbeat monthlong feature broadcast to 215 nations) and in Beijing as part of The China Tour (2001, as seen on China Cultural Television (CTT) and Israel Television), as well as opening Daniel Pearl World Music Day (Oct, 2003, CNN & ITV News) from the King David Hotel and the West Jerusalem YMCA Terrace.

Saxophonist Arnie Lawrence, has often been referred to as an Underground Legend. He is an immensely talented and soulful player who leaves a lasting impression on everyone who hears him. He is recognized as world class Jazz musician and is the possessor of a prodigious saxophone technique, but his true gift is his ability to touch people through his playing, exploring and illuminating the recesses of the emotional palette.

In 1986 Arnie put his performing and recording career on the back burner and for the next ten years threw himself into an education project that became known as the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City. As the creator and co-founder Arnie drew the talent that would make The New School arguably the top educational center for young musicians to study with the masters. His teaching style is uniquely his, drawing from his education in the aural tradition of jazz. Arnie's students from the school are spread all over the globe, and a short list of his well known students includes; Roy Hargrove, Brad Mehldau, Larry Goldings, John Popper, Peter Bernstien and Jay Rodriguez.

In 1997 Arnie left the New School, picked up his New York roots and moved to Jerusalem, Israel, where he founded the International Center for Creative Music, Jerusalem, where he currently teaches. The ICCM is an educational facility where young Israelis and Palestinians study music and life skills together along with students from around the world.