Trumpeter, composer, and jazz educator Chris Lawrence was born and raised in the city of Muskegon, MI. While in high school he played in numerous All-State and Honors Jazz and Wind Ensembles. During his senior year, Chris was selected as one of thirty five students nationwide to perform in the National Grammy Jazz Ensemble, Los Angeles, CA. During this trip, Chris worked with many top-name musicians such as Justin DiCioccio, Bobby Sanabria, Ron McCurdy, Nnenna Freelon and Patrice Rushen. After receiving scholarsip offers from The Berklee College of Music, Indiana University, The Cincinnati Conservatory and Depaul University, he spent four years studying in Kalamazoo, MI at Western Michigan University. Here, Lawrence studied privately with Fred Hersch, Rick Holland, Scott Cowan, Stephen Jones and Scott Thornburg. Upon completing his Bachelor of Arts (jazz studies) from Western Michigan University, Lawrence moved to Chicago to work as a freelance musician and educator. Leaving Chicago for more exprience, Lawrence performed for the next two years in show bands on Carnival Cruise Lines and traveled the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera. Currently finishing a teaching certificate in music education at Michigan State University, he has performed with or opened for artists such as The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Aaron Neville, Linda Rondstadt, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Earth, Wind and Fire, Kool and The Gang, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Fred Hersch, Slide Hampton, Jim McNeely, Jimmy Dillon and The Lion Street Horns, Alan Gresick Swing Shift Orchestra, and countless others. Lawrence has also performed or toured with many off Broadway productions such as Man of LaMancha, Guys and Dolls, The Buddy Holly Story, Peter Pan, 1940's Radio Hour, Brigadoon and West Side Story.

www.chrislawrencemusic.org