Arnie Lawrence gone .....

[Tim Price]

One of the most creative alto saxophonists in the world passed away
this Friday in Jerusalem, he came there around 7 years ago.


Arnie not only was the alto sax player in the old NBC Tonight show ( in
the 60s in NyC ), but he was the founder in the New School Jazz
program.


Music has lost another cornerstone, Arnie Lawrence had something you
can't learn in books. It came from the heart and soul.
Ever hear him on Chico Hamiltoons CD " The Dealer" ?? What a great alto sound,he had everything in it, soul, grit, grease, passion, burn, bop, funk and a few other things that_many_ cats today miss...like romance. That rapture in the music, the romance.He told a story. Ever hear him with Clark Terry in the 70s or when he played with his own bands like " Treasure Island" or
" Children Of All Ages " ?? Sparking innivative concepts with alto playing on a stellar level, and plenty of committment in the heart & soul.
Here was a players player a musicians musician. His playing spoke volumes of experience in not only studio sessions at NBC but in late night funky bars
playing with the old & new cats....the young and up and comin' payin' their dues cats...the good, the amazing and the guys who will be good and amazing.

Guys I was lucky to know like Don Lanphere and Joe Farrell spoke so highly of Arnie Lawrence.Lew Tabackin as well. Arnie Lawrence played something INTO the alto saxophone, he REALLY added a dimension.

Please lift up thoughts of Arnie to the universe.


I'm gonna miss him,Arnie Lawrence was something else,
he was an inspiration- Tim Price

[tinpalaceroach]

WOW, Tim sorry about the loss of your friend and fine musician. i remember Arnie lawrence from many recordings but one that comes to mind and is a lost classic is Michael Weinstein's(another NYC cat) "Afro Cuban Roots" from the sixties. Arnie played lead alto and Mario Rivera baritone with Mark on trombone/flute plus a young Chick Corea on piano. fantastico music with Arnie wailing in a furious bop vocal way that you can't forget.Mark is still around as a flute professor who also teaches Jewish studies. i did see him another time on a gig with with Bassist Mike Richmond which was very intimate and telepathic. there is an era of creative people moving on and leaving unfinished business because there is almost nobody(few) to continue the music traditional or otherwise in a conscious purposeful way. there shouldn't be a vaccum but a living body of music for all to respect,enjoy and remember.

[Tim Price]

there is an era of creative people moving on and leaving unfinished business because there is almost nobody(few) to continue the music traditional or otherwise in a conscious purposeful way. there shouldn't be a vaccum but a living body of music for all to respect,enjoy and remember.


dolphyo- I hear you...unfinished business for sure...well said.

I met Arnie back in 1973, In Boston, he came by Berklee for a clinic, was walking around the place and walked into a session I was having and ended up hanging out with me all weeekend playing and sharing.He was quie a vast and ear to the universe musician. In years later as I played gigs W/ Doc S. or started doing teaching at New School in NyC,I felt his vibe. A path Arnie blazed for those of us in the rear ranks. He was on a mission for sure.

I also gotta tell you- he was a very special tenor player. He never played tenor to much in public- tho the times I heard him on it- I'll never forget the sound. It was very spiritual.
( He was around " Sonnys Place" on LongIsland when I played a week there w/Les DeMerle when we were off from Harrys gig.)

The tenor was really something, I think Sonny ( the club owner) insisted Arnie play tenor there as he dug it etc.
Sometime later, I went by " Mickels " in NyC- He was there with Joe Beck, Arnie came to me on a break and said " you look familiar"..and we chatted...he came back over with HIS soprano and said " Lets play some"...I had no horn with me & had NOT intended to play, just wanted to hang. I ended up using his soprano ( a KING ) and having a ball.

Last time I saw him was a summer or so ago ~
He was at Robertos on 46th in morning, and he came back into my studio and we jammed, for some reason, he looked really pale, frail. He seemed ok, but....he dug my student too. He sat in on the lesson, and was really giving the student something too. He mentioned he had to go to the airport and got going. About 6 min later- he came back in the room, hugged me and told me he loved me, looked me right in the face too, and to keep on doing my thing. I said something to Roberto yesterday about it and we both thought, he musta knew he was ill. Or FELT it. Roberto was extreemly upset when he heard the sad news....everyone loved this guy.

Don Lanphere told me storys about Arnie Lawrence-
And how they would practice with Ben Webster in NYC.And listen to records together in the afternoon with Ben. TALK ABOUT BROTHERHOOD!!!!!
Talk about ....THE COMMUNITY OF JAZZ. There it is ~
Back in the 70s he used to do those Jazz Interactions gigs . I saw him once with Farrell and he blew the walls off the Village Gate. Farrell was standing there smiling like a budda. ( What an ALTO SOUND !!!!!!!!! )

Remember that Chico record at Newport with Arnie playing electric alto?
Or the stuff he did on alto w/ Johnny Richards?
Coryell also.

http://www.jazz.org.il/jazz-in-jerusalem-ijs.htm
That link tells a lot about his greatness as well.

There's an era closing in and getting really tight, its really sad.
This guy, Arnie Lawrence was about the real stuff.

"A world without music would be truly a wasteland" - Arnie Lawrence

He will be missed.

[Tim Price]

For some cool shots of ARNIE LAWRENCE..playing sax with the SPIN DOCTORS...check this out...this guy did everything.
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH ROCK to the hippest jazz you ever heard.

Check him at: With the SPIN DOCTORS;
http://www.spindoctors.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=ThePhotoBooth;action=display;num=111 4316148

BTW- Speaking of....... ""rock sax "" stuff-
Arnie was a vital part of these classic rock recordings;

Here Comes the Bride (1999) - Spin Doctors

You've Got to Believe in Something (1996) - Spin Doctors

Travelogue: Blues Traveler Classics (2002) - Blues Traveler

Genya Ravan with Baby (1972) - Genya Ravan

Genya was a rock singer who was In short-THE BEST!!!
I'm still in love with her. 8-)

More than Ever (1976) - Blood, Sweat & Tears


All American Alien Boy (1976) - Ian Hunter
A.L plays clarinet on these Ian Hunter records.
Rumor was..Ian loved his clarinet playing!!
Once Bitten Twice Shy (2000) - Ian Hunter

Wilmer & the Dukes (1969) - Wilmer & the Dukes
Baritone sax by Arnie- and beefy fantastic sound in the section.

BUT- Check him out on his stuff and the best Chico Hamilton " The Dealer" , amazing alto playing in late 60s.