HONORED to Present
DOUG LAWRENCE
Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, saxophonist Doug Lawrence spent over 20 years making a name for himself in New York City. Among the artists Doug has performed and recorded with include - Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, Rosemary Clooney, Billy Eckstine, Jimmy Cobb, Anita O'Day, Benny Carter, Bobby Short, Eddie Durham, Stevie Wonder, Diane Schuur, Nnenna Freelon, and many others.
Doug has performed on six continents at virtually every major concert hall, jazz club and jazz festival in the world, including - Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Royal Albert Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, The Sydney Opera House, The Dewan Fhilharmonik Petronis Concert Hall in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore's Esplanade Concert Hall, The Blue Notes in Japan, Italy and New York, The Village Vangaurd, Blues Alley, Birdland, Ronnie Scott’s, Newport, Chicago, Montreal, New Orleans, New York, and many more. Doug has also performed for 5 American Presidents as well as the Queen of England and the Royal Families of Monaco, Sweden and Spain.
As the featured tenor saxophone soloist with the “legendary” 18-time Grammy award winning Count Basie Orchestra, Doug has toured the world extensively. The Basie Orchestra has no parallel in jazz. They have won more awards, polls and Grammys than any other jazz big band in history. The chair Doug fills (1st tenor) has been inhabited by a virtual "who's who" of jazz tenor saxophonists. They include - Lester Young, Hershel Evans, Don Byas, Eli "Lucky" Thompson, Budd Johnson, Buddy Tate, Illinois Jacquet.
Doug appeared in the Broadway Show "Come Fly Away" as principle saxophone soloist from 2009 thru 2012. This show, based on the music of Frank Sinatra and the choreography of Twyla Tharp featured an all-star big band performing on stage. "Come Fly Away" started in Atlanta, moved to Broadway, and toured nationally in the US and Japan in its 3 year run. Other Broadway shows Doug has been associated with as an
original member include, the 1st National Tour of "Sister Act".
Doug has performed on six continents at virtually every major concert hall, jazz club and jazz festival in the world, including - Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Royal Albert Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, The Sydney Opera House, The Dewan Fhilharmonik Petronis Concert Hall in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore's Esplanade Concert Hall, The Blue Notes in Japan, Italy and New York, The Village Vangaurd, Blues Alley, Birdland, Ronnie Scott’s, Newport, Chicago, Montreal, New Orleans, New York, and many more. Doug has also performed for 5 American Presidents as well as the Queen of England and the Royal Families of Monaco, Sweden and Spain.
As the featured tenor saxophone soloist with the “legendary” 18-time Grammy award winning Count Basie Orchestra, Doug has toured the world extensively. The Basie Orchestra has no parallel in jazz. They have won more awards, polls and Grammys than any other jazz big band in history. The chair Doug fills (1st tenor) has been inhabited by a virtual "who's who" of jazz tenor saxophonists. They include - Lester Young, Hershel Evans, Don Byas, Eli "Lucky" Thompson, Budd Johnson, Buddy Tate, Illinois Jacquet.
Doug appeared in the Broadway Show "Come Fly Away" as principle saxophone soloist from 2009 thru 2012. This show, based on the music of Frank Sinatra and the choreography of Twyla Tharp featured an all-star big band performing on stage. "Come Fly Away" started in Atlanta, moved to Broadway, and toured nationally in the US and Japan in its 3 year run. Other Broadway shows Doug has been associated with as an
original member include, the 1st National Tour of "Sister Act".
WITH SINCERE THANKS - TO OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS AND GRANTOR
Meredith R. Speers