Azar Lawrence

Azar Lawrence (born November 3, 1952) is an American jazz saxophonist, known for his contributions as sideman to McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Woody Shaw.

Career
Lawrence released Summer Solstice on Prestige Records in 1975, produced by Orrin Keepnews. It featured Raul de Souza, Gerald Hayes, Amaury Tristão, Dom Salvador, Ron Carter, Guilherme Franco on the songs "Novo Ano" and "Highway" which were composed by Amaury Tristão, and Lawrence, Souza, Albert Dailey, Carter and Billy Hart on all other selections.

Bridge Into The New Age featured Jean Carn, Woody Shaw, Ray Straughter, Woody Murray, Clint Houston, Billy Hart, Guillerme Franco, Julian Priester, Hadley Caliman, Black Arthur, Joe Bonner, John Heard, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Mtume and Kenneth Nash.

People Moving featured Patrice Rushen, Jerry Peters, Michael Stanton, John Rowin, Lee Ritenour, Paul Jackson, Jr., Harvey Mason, Ernest Straughter.

Musician and screenwriter Herbert Baker taught music and mentored Lawrence, who recalled Baker as "one of the greatest pianists who ever lived."

As leader

 * 1974: Bridge into the New Age (Prestige)
 * 1975: Summer Solstice (Prestige)
 * 1976: People Moving (Prestige)
 * 1985: Shadow Dancing (Riza)
 * 2007: Legacy & Music of John Coltrane (Clarion Jazz) - with Edwin Bayard
 * 2008: Prayer For My Ancestors (Furthermore) - with Nate Morgan
 * 2009: Speak the Word (Zarman Productions) - with Nate Morgan
 * 2010: Mystic Journey (Furthermore) - with Eddie Henderson
 * 2014: The Seeker (Sunnyside, recorded 2011) -with Nicholas Payton
 * 2015: Conduit (Intofocus) - with Al McLean
 * 2016: Frontiers (Cellar Live) - with Al McLean
 * 2018: Elementals (HighNote)
 * 2022: New Sky (Trazer)

As sideman
With Mulatu Astatke With Henry Butler With Miles Davis With Henry Franklin With Gene Harris With Freddie Hubbard With Elvin Jones With Franklin Kiermyer
 * Timeless (2010, Mochilla)'''
 * Fivin' Around (1986, Impulse!/MCA)
 * Dark Magus (1977, Columbia, recorded 1974)
 * If We Should Meet Again (2007, Skipper Productions)
 * O, What A Beautiful Morning! (2008, Skipper Productions)
 * Home Cookin' (2009, Skipper Productions)
 * In a Special Way (1976, Blue Note)
 * Bundle of Joy (1977, Columbia)
 * New Agenda (1975, Vanguard)


 * Further (2014, Mobility Music)

With Woody Shaw

With The 360 Degree Music Experience With McCoy Tyner With Harry Whitaker With Eden Atwood
 * The Moontrane (1974, Muse)
 * In: Sanity (1976, Black Saint)
 * Enlightenment (1973, Milestone)
 * Sama Layuca (1974, Milestone)
 * Atlantis (1974, Milestone)
 * Black Renaissance (1976, Bay State/Ubiquity)
 * Like Someone in Love (2010, Sinatra Society of Japan)