Project Created: “Life Mosaic: Reflections on Birth, Adolescence, Maturity and Death”
Bio: Josh Lawrence is a jazz trumpeter, composer and bandleader living in Philadelphia where he is on faculty at the University of the Arts and Drexel University. Lawrence has two solo albums to his name with his latest release “One Night in Atlanta” featuring seven original compositions for trumpet trio. Saxophonist Tim Warfield says: “Josh Lawrence is one of the current stalwart musicians of the next generation deeply steeped in tradition and exemplifying a control and lyricism that is slowly but assuredly leading him towards a singular voice on his instrument.” He has recorded as a sideman with Erykah Badu and Boyz II Men and performs regularly with pianist Orrin Evan’s Captain Black Big Band (Downbeat Critics Poll winner), saxophonist Bobby Zankel & The Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, guitarist Matt Davis’ Aerial Photograph, bassist Anthony Tidd’s PACT, the Shrine Big Band, and the Fresh Cut Orchestra. In late 2012, Lawrence was commissioned by the Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia with bassist Jason Fraticelli and drummer Anwar Marshall to compose and debut new music for a large ten-piece ensemble: the Fresh Cut Orchestra. In 2013, FCO was awarded a grant through the Pew Center’s Philadelphia Music Project to produce their debut album “From The Vine” which was released in May 2014. The core trio of FCO holds a residency at the Painted Bride and hosts a monthly concerts series featuring guest artists and educational workshops. Lawrence scored music for the documentary “Love & Terror” by filmmaker Dave Jannetta.
Project Description: “Our direction for this residency is to create an extended “three act” work delineating a timeline of past, present, and future while exploring the theme of duality in correlation to the first and last year of a person’s life. Time is the crux and hope to express how age can redefine ideas of old and new. Musically, we are interested in furthering our experimentations in fusing traditional acoustic and modern electronic music. In addition to the music, we will put out a “call to action” to professional and amateur “Instagram” photographers in Philadelphia to explore the project’s theme of “old & new” and submit photos for inclusion in visualization that will accompany the piece at its premiere” – Josh Lawrence, 2014
Credits:
Composed by Anwar Marshall, Jason Fraticelli, Josh Lawrence & Tim Conley Art Direction by Ola Baldych Motion Graphics by Karen Yee.
MUSICIANS
Josh Lawrence – Trumpet
Jason Fraticelli – Bass
Anwar Marshall – Drums
Tim Conley - Guitar & Laptop
Brent White – Trombone
Mike Cemprola – Saxophones
Mark Allen – Saxophones
Brian Marsella – Piano
Matt Davis – Guitar
Francois Zayas – Percussion
Tom Spiker – Projectionist
Joanna Pascale – Vocals
Performance Dates: Josh was in residency from November 1, 2013 – June 21, 2014. His student workshop was held on February 15, his public workshop on February 27, his work-in-progress on April 29, and his world premiere was held on June 21, 2014.