Jay Lawrence
Adjunct Instructor of Percussion
drummerjl@networld.com
Celebrated musician Jay
Lawrence has enjoyed a diverse career as a performing and recording
artist. Adjunct Instructor of Percussion
drummerjl@networld.com
Lawrence is a distinguished drummer, ethnic and orchestral percussionist, composer and arranger,
educator, clinician, adjudicator, band leader, contractor and author. He has been voted the “Best Drummer
in Utah” and “Utah’s Favorite Jazz Drummer.”
Lawrence has performed in concert with many celebrities, including, The 5th Dimension, Paul Anka, Vikki
Carr, Cher, Roy Clark, The Coasters, Vic Damone, Sammy Davis Jr., The Drifters, Arthur Duncan, Barbara
Eden, Michael Feinstein, Andy Gibb, Englebert Humperdink, Jack Jones, Tom Jones, Ben E. King, Gladys
Knight, Rich Little, Loretta Lynn, Ann Margret, Maureen McGovern, Shirley MacLaine, Liza Minelli, The Moody
Blues, Anthony Newley, Donny Osmond, Lou Rawls, Della Reese, Debbie Reynolds, , Charlie Rich, Linda
Ronstadt, The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Neil Sedaka, Frank Jr. and Nancy Sinatra, Red Skelton, The
Smothers Brothers, Bobby Vinton, Dionne Warwick, Raquel Welch, and Mary Wilson. He has also played for
many productions and musicals including, the Sponsors Party and African Nations Athletes Party at the 2002
Winter Olympics, Showboat, Singin’ in the Rain, City of Angels, West Side Story, Annie Get Your Gun, Fiddler
on the Roof, Hello Dolly, Oklahoma, Bye-Bye Birdie, The Full Monty, Joseph & the Technicolor Dreamcoat,
Music Man, The Sound of Music and Moulin Rouge.
Jay is an endorser for Vic Firth sticks and brushes, Bosphorus cymbals, Cannonball Musical Instruments,
Remo drumheads, Musser vibraphones, Roland electronics, and LP percussion. He has been an Assistant
Professor of Music at the University of Utah since 1988.