Lawrence to play benefit concert at Towsley

Lawrence to play benefit concert at Towsley

STEPHEN SCHLAACK

Contributor

Music brings people together in a way few other things can. Regardless of gender or race or wealth, it hits all of our ears the same way; it is both humbling and uplifting, making everyone in the crowd an equal. It enriches us, giving us a new appreciation and understanding of everything around us. Washtenaw Community College instructor and jazz guitarist John Lawrence aims to do just that with a benefit at Towsley Auditorium at Washtenaw Community College on Nov. 5th. The benefit is for POWER (People-Organized-Working-Evolving-Reaching), Inc, a non-profit community development corporation that serves children and families in Washtenaw County. The fundraiser itself was the corporation’s idea, and they contacted John Lawrence about playing it. “It’s an honor,” said Lawrence, who has instructed at WCC for the past twenty years, “I’m putting together a special show for this event.” The benefit, dubbed “Sounds of Power,” will feature Lawrence on guitar with a full band, including backup singers and a horn section. “I went the extra mile,” he said, since the show will also include a full light show with lasers. According to Lawrence, the show will be split into two halves divided by an intermission. The first half will be a tribute to classic Motown hits. “I want to give people a new appreciation of Motown standards from a jazz point of view,” Lawrence said. “They translate very well into instrumental music.” He and his band will be running through hits from Motown greats such as the Four Tops and Smokey Robinson, and will end the first half with a gospel piece. The second half of the benefit will be a tribute to the late Michael Jackson. Lawrence chose songs spanning Jackson’s entire career, from his early hits with the Jackson 5 to his more ubiquitous songs such as “Thriller” and “Beat It.” Lawrence praised Jackson’s songwriting skills as “genius,” and said that the strength of his melodies and hooks made his music universal. Lawrence hopes that the jazz treatment of these classics will give people a new appreciation and understanding of the music. This half of the show will, like the first half, close with a gospel number. Lawrence’s only complaint is that he had trouble choosing which songs to play. “There are so many songs I want to do,” he said. “It’s hard to choose.” He plans on putting some songs together as medleys in order to accommodate them all. “I’ve been working on this every day,” Lawrence said. “I’m very excited.”