Erik Lawrence plays Saxophones and Flutes. He has received a Meet-the-Composer Grant for his writing. He began playing sax at five years old under the guidance of his father, jazz musician, founder of the New School of Jazz in NYC and the International Center for Creative Music Studies in Jerusalem, Rock and Roll Guru Arnie Lawrence, who told him to "Play what you feel."  Thus beginning what has been a lifelong spiritual quest through music. He is at home playing in various styles, from tradition to experimental, from large ensembles to solo.

By now he has brought his original melodic and rhythmic approach to Europe, Across the United States, South America and the Caribbean. He has performed Solo improvised saxophone at Carnegie Recital Hall in New York and has been the featured performer at the World Peace Festival and has performed in Europe at the Northsea Jazz, Discover Jazz, Montreal Jazz, Molde Jazz, Pori Jazz, Porto and Saalfelden Jazz festivals, the Free Jazz Festival in Brazil, the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Berkshire Jazz Festival and Bumbershoots.

Erik leads and plays with various ensembles.  His sidemen have included Garth Hudson, Mark Egan, Steven Bernstein, Dave Tronzo, Aaron Comess, Mark White, Eric Schenkman, Alex Blake, Cameron Brown, Lonnie Plaxico, John Pizzarelli, Murali Coryell; and poets Jane LeCroy, Frank Messina and many, many others. His current original projects include Hipmotism, featuring Grammy nominee Steven Bernstein and drummer Allison Miller; MERGE Poetry/Music project featuring poet Cassandra Cleghorn and Allison Miller.

Erik has also currently or recently performed and recorded with legendary Levon Helm Band,jazz drummer Chico Hamilton; with Steven Bernstein's much acclaimed Millennial Territory Orchestra;  Branford Marsalis, and The Masters of the Groove, featuring Bernard Purdie, Grant Green Jr. and Reuben Wilson.

Erik currently teaches jazz saxophone at Williams College and the Putney School. He has taught sax, jazz, jazz history, ensembles, and methods classes at Montclair State University (94-2000) and Rockland Community College (80-84). He has also taught saxophone and flute to all ages and improvisation to all instruments for well over 20 years and is available for clinics.
 
Erik has just released a new CD, "Merge" (www.mergepoetrymusic.com) and a forthcoming Hipmotism CD, both recorded at Levon Helm Studios.

He would ask that if you say daily prayers you consider adding the phrase "May Peace Prevail on Earth" to your daily prayers to help raise both personal and world consciousness about the possibility that peace is a viable alternative to anger in ANY situation.

Erik has performed and/or recorded with numerous artists in his
roles as sideman and bandleader. Notable artists include:

    Chico Hamilton (legendary Jazz drummer)
    Neville Family Affair (featuring Aaron Neville and his sons)
    Buddy Miles
    Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint
    David Amram
    Rickie Lee Jones
    Sonny Sharrock (Avant Garde Guitar Legend)
    The Band
    Levon Helm
    The Spin Doctors
    John Popper (from Blues Traveler)
    Bob Dylan
    Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra
    Joan Osborne
    Branford Marsalis
    Masters of the Groove: Bernard Purdie, Grant Green Jr, Reuben Wilson
    Istanbul Orchestra
    Jackie Cain and Roy Kral
    Arnie Lawrence
    John Cale (from Velvet Underground)
    A.C. Reed (Chicago Blues Sax Legend)
    David Tronzo (Slide Guitar Master)

Erik has been featured on the following film soundtracks and
Television Programs:

    Space Jam (That's the Way w/ Spin Doctors)
    For the Love of the Game (Baby Love w/Joan Osborne)
    A&E Biography: Malcolm X
    HBO's: Commercials, the 60 Second Seduction
    My Night in Bohemia (Composed and Performed score)
    The Comic's Relief (Performed and Composed score)
    Playboy's Party Jokes
    House of America (music by John Cale)
    Tonight Show with Jay Leno
    Imus In the Morning (MSNBC, syndicated radio)
    Joan Lunden Show
    Numerous TV commercials (Tropicana, ATT etc)

Erik has performed on the following recent commercial recordings:

    Merge: Merge (2006)
    Levon Helm All Stars: Midnight Ramble Vol 2 (2006)
    Trey Anastasio: Dragonfly 2006
    Ultra Blue: Dust 2 Dawn (with Dave Stryker) (2003)
    Chico Hamilton: Foreststorn (2001)
    Chico Hamilton: Thoughts Of... (2002)
    Gina Ferrera: Blended Beat
    Xumantra: Dance of Life (2002)
    Joan Osborne: Righteous Love (2002)
    Robert Mosci: Frankly Speaking (2002); One By One; First Portrait;
    Holidays
    Joe Gallant and Illuminati: Shadowland
    Woodstock Holidays (with John Simon)
    John Simon: Harmony Farm
    King Happy: In My Country
    Killer Joe: Scene of the Crime
    Jackie Cain & Roy Kral: Forever
    AC Reed and the Spark Plugs: Junk Food
    Eric Schenkman (guitarist from the Spin Doctors) and the Chrysalids:
    Make a Sound
    Eric Schenkman: Don't go to War
    Marya Lawrence and Metamorphosis: All the Way Back
    Deanna Kirk: Where are You Now
    Sloan Wainwright (self titled)
    Jonathan Best:  Songs from Before (I got Laid)
    Gabrielle Roth and the Mirrors with Boris Grebenshikov: Refuge
    Chaula Hopefisher: Multi Colored Chant
    Angus: Face the Day (with Levon Helm)