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Tom Lawton
He later began studies in Philadelphia with renowned pianist Bernard Peiffer, who had emigrated here from France. After Bernard's death, Tom began a long association with the late bassist Al Stauffer, who had accompanied M. Peiffer for several years.
Tom and Al were once among Philly's most visible proponents of free improvisation and were often seen at the Painted Bride and Khyber Pass back when those venues still supported the style. In ensuing years, they were seen playing more subdued (but no less creative) jazz styles at the Fountain Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel. Tom now just subs at the Four Seasons, but can be seen frequently at Chris' Jazz Cafe. He teaches at Bucks Community College, and is considered by many to be one of Philadelphia's brightest undiscovered talents. His playing is awe-inspiring. Tom defines "two handed" piano playing. In his younger years he destroyed a number of pianos at our high school. His power is now slightly more well-controlled.
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Jim Levendis: The Big Band Project
by Jack Bowers
Jim Levendis knew that time was running out. In his mid-seventies, the veteran Philadelphia-area trumpeter and educator had contracted ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), the effects of which were rapidly sapping his energy and ability to function. As the disease progressed, Levendis confided in Len Pierro, a band mate in the Ward Marston band, that there was one thing he would dearly love to do while he was still able: record some of the big-band arrangements he had written over the ...
read moreWarriors of the Wonderful Sound: Soundpath
by Mark Corroto
If we alter President John F. Kennedy's 1962 moon spaceflight speech just a bit, it easily fits the big band adaptation of Muhal Richard Abrams' magnum opus Soundpath, We choose to perform this composition not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept." Accepting the challenge was band leader Bobby Zankel and ...
read moreWarriors of the Wonderful Sound: Soundpath
by Giuseppe Segala
Nel 2011 il sassofonista di Filadelfia Bobby Zankel, leader della big band The Warriors of the Wonderful Sound e promotore di laboratori di musica contemporanea, propose a Muhal Richard Abrams un lavoro compositivo che avrebbe dovuto essere affidato alla band, con la direzione dello stesso pianista. Operazioni di questo tipo erano già state realizzate da Zankel negli anni precedenti con le musiche per big band di Julius Hemphill, dirette da Marty Ehrlich, poi con composizioni di Rudresh Mahanthappa e Steve ...
read moreSoundpath
by Victor L. Schermer
Muhal Richard Abrams (1930-2017) was a revered pianist, composer and teacher of great capability and range who, in addition to his own achievements, inspired and influenced many jazz musicians in both the mainstream and avant-garde categories. Largely self-taught as a result of a personal decision to follow his own path, and early on pursuing church music, big band, blues, bebop and avant-garde jazz in his home city of jny: Chicago, he grasped music from its roots, and so was able ...
read moreTom Lawton: Not Less Than Everything
by Victor L. Schermer
Not known, because not looked for But heard, half-heard, in the stillness Between two waves of the sea. Quick now, here, now, always-- A condition of complete simplicity (Costing not less than everything) --T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets; Little Gidding" This poetic quotation captures the essence of pianist Tom Lawton. He is a musician who is listening in the stillness" to serve the whole group, and he ...
read moreTom Lawton: Jazz and the Modern Art of Man Ray
by Victor L. Schermer
In his book, Jazz Modernism: From Ellington And Armstrong To Matissse And Joyce (Yale University Press 2004), author Alfred Appel depicts the numerous but easily overlooked parallels between jazz music and modern art and literature. Many jazz musicians are art aficionados, and many of the twentieth century's great artists loved jazz and often kept record collections. Jazz icons Miles Davis and Tony Bennett have exhibited their artwork at major galleries. There's only a small distance from the ears to the ...
read moreMichelle Lordi: Drive
by Victor L. Schermer
It's difficult to conceive how this wonderful album of restrained and subtly rendered ballads came to be called Drive, a term which leads the listener to expect a package of revved up swing or rock. However, you don't have to be a cryptologist to realize that it comes from the last track, Drive," which contains the line Who's gonna drive you home?" This sense of melancholy and hoped for love, like so much of the American Songbook, is the essence ...
read moreTom Lawton Joins Keyboard Mania at the Colonial Theatre on November 14th
Source:
Martin Weinberg
On Thursday November 14, Tom Lawton will appear in a benefit concert at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville for Keyboard Mania. All proceeds benefit the Kimberton Waldorf School Steinway Restoration Fund. Tom Lawton is a highly respected and gifted jazz pianist based in the Philadelphia area. His playing is “superbly performed, full of complex textures, exciting solos and imminent discoveries.” See Tom's All About Jazz interview for more. The concert features a range of exciting and diverse artists, covering classical, ...
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Tom Lawton Special Concert In Old City Phila. On Thurs. 2/21!
Source:
Jim Miller
Jazz Bridge in Old City Philadelphia! presents pianist Tom Lawton, appearing at the Arch Street Friends Meeting House — 320 Arch Street in Philadelphia, 19106 — on Thursday, February 21st. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $10, $5 for students, and are only available at the door. Information: 215-517-8337. Tom Lawton is one of the area’s most in-demand and most inventive players, composers and teachers. Lawton studied extensively with the famed French piano legend Bernard Peiffer, and is among ...
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Pianist Tom Lawton's 'Retrospective/Debut' CD Release Party
Source:
All About Jazz
Tom Lawton Quartet with Special Guest Norman David: Retrospective/Debut
Tom Lawton, a top jazz pianist and composer based in the Philadelphia area and Bucks/Montgomery Counties has just released a new CD on the Dreambox Media label consisting mostly of his original compositions written over three decades. The musicians include Tom (pianist, composer, leader), John Swana (trumpet), Ben Schachter (tenor and soprano sax), and special guest Norman David (clarinet).
This CD is rich with original ideas, stimulating and moving improvisations, and ...
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Peter Rushing
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Music
Tuesday Overture
From: At This TimeBy Tom Lawton
Cameo
From: Retrospective/DebutBy Tom Lawton