Ypsilanti Freighthouse
John E. Lawrence & The Power Band
In the closing performance of UMS’s April Ypsilanti Freighthouse residency, John E. Lawrence and The Power Band take the stage for a sophisticated evening of jazz.
John E. Lawrence is a lifelong resident of Ypsilanti and one of Michigan’s most talented and respected guitarists. For 36 years, he served as Chair of the Performing Arts Department at Washtenaw Community College, as well as an instructor in the department and head of the music performance program.
This performance is a “Pay What You Wish” event. That means that you can decide how much you would like to pay to attend. In most venues, an event like this would cost around $15-25 per person. Please enter the price you would like to pay per ticket, and the number of tickets you wish to reserve.
John Lawrence has published 16 instructional guitar books (three by Mel Bey Publishing), produced four DVDs, and recorded 10 CDs. Mr. Lawrence was employed by Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, MI for 36 years, retiring on May 4, 2015. He served as Chair of the Performing Arts Department, head of the Music Performance program, and was an instructor in the department. Within the first two years as department head, he developed 25 new courses and three Certificate Programs (Guitar Studies, Piano Studies, Music Production, and Engineering). He also published a textbook for a course that he developed entitled “Self-Management for the Working Artist,” which educates students on how to make a living in the music business.
A hallmark of Mr. Lawrence’s tenure at WCC is his creation of the “Living Legends Series,” which provided a stage for famous recording artists to be interviewed and share their life stories in front of a live audience followed by a question-and-answer period. The evening culminated with a concert. The program provided WCC students with firsthand knowledge of musical legends. The series hosted artists such as Mavis Staples, The Four Tops, Ashford and Simpson, Earl Klugh, and The Temptations.
In the realm of performance, John served as musical director and lead guitarist for vocalist Carl Carlton, who was the opening act for such famed artists as Smokey Robinson, Chaka Khan, Lionel Richie and the Commodores, Rick James, Teena Marie, Frankie Beverly, and Maze. He has made television appearances on three nationally syndicated programs: Kelly & Company, PM Magazine, and Good Morning America.
On July 6, 2014, John embarked on a new challenge as the Musical Director at the newly formed Empowerment Church under the spiritual leadership of Rev. Dr. Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III. In its inaugural year, the church has grown to over eight hundred members.
Mr. Lawrence is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. Most notable is the 2008 Washtenaw Community College Morris J. Lawrence Award, presented by the President of the College. It is the highest honor given to a faculty member. On May 28, 2015, he received a Special Tribute from the State of Michigan signed by Governor Rick Snyder, six state legislators, and presented by State Representative David Rutledge for John’s remarkable years of service at Washtenaw Community College and the greater community as a whole.
Learn more about John at johnelawrence.com
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