Lawson Rollins - Next Steps - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Guitarist and composer Lawson Rollins takes the listener on a global musical journey on InchTravelerInch Bridging countries, continents and cultures, the music features Lawson's distinctive guitar work backed by an eclectic, all-star ensemble. The expansive arc of the album reaches from the traditions of the Old World to the pulse of the modern metropolis with a boldly diverse, genre defying mix of melody, rhythm and improvisation. Featuring 2-time Grammy Award winner Mads Tolling (Turtle Island Quartet), Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's Scotty Morris, Joshus Levy, Karl Hunter, Grammy Award winner Charlie Bisharat (Shadow fax), percussionist Dave Bryant (Ottmar Liebert + Luna Negra Band), platinum-selling producer Dominic Camardella (Flor Purim, 3rd Force, Ottmar Liebert) and bassist Randy Tico (Jeff Bridges, Benise, Strnuz & Farah).

With the of RISE, Lawson Rollins offers a bold collection of ten original songs that showcase his signature virtuoso guitar style and eclectic compositional flair for melody and rhythm. Lawson explores new collaborations with Haitian vocalist Jeff Pierre, saxophonist Mary Fettig, and Grammy winning violinists Charlie Bisharat and Mads Tolling on several tracks, while deepening his connection with regular band mates Stephen Duros, Davo Bryant, and Dan Feiszli throughout the album. Each song finds Lawson rising to his peak abilities as a guitarist and composer. Lawson states, InchThis album was forged during the unprecedented difficulties the world has seen over the past year, but as the Latin motto InchAd Astra Per AsperaInch proclaims, we can reach the stars through difficulty. It is in that spirit that this album was made.Inch

With the of InchHeartwoodInch Lawson Rollins offers a melodically rich and rhythmically exhilarating set of songs that showcase his soulful connection to the guitar and his passion for unbridled six string acoustic artistry. Across a wide ranging musical tapestry Lawson draws from the spirit of the heartwood of the guitar - his chosen instrument - and incorporates the stimulating rhythmic drive of rumba, bossa nova, and samba with graceful melodic finesse and free-flowing improvisational flair. Joining Lawson on the album are Grammy winning violinists Charlie Bisharat and Mads Tolling, veteran jazz saxophonist Mary Fettig, Brazilian percussionist Marquinho Brasil, virtuoso bassist Dan Feiszli, multi-instrumentalist Stephen Duros, keyboardist Michael Bluestein, cellist Joseph Hebert, and drummers Colin Douglas and Dave Bryant.