New York’s Marya (rhymes with aria) Lawrence was initiated by her musical family into the improvisational vernacular; by high school she wrote songs, developing instrumental and vocal chops. Her father, the late saxophone legend Arnie Lawrence, foresaw Marya’s road to mastery. She shared stages with Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, and Bob Dorough’s “Schoolhouse Rock–Live” (assuming Blossom Dearie’s role). Arnie created and taught at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where Marya studied and performed with his bands. She honed her vocal craft and recorded with Chico Hamilton, Leon Parker, and her brother, renowned saxophonist Erik Lawrence (Little Feat). Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors, Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra, and Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble Band (of which Erik is a founding member), all have provided opportunities for Marya to be seen and heard. In 2017, she won first place at the Jazz Forum Jazz Vocalist competition. Marya’s first recording was with her group Metamorphosis. Now comes a timely version of Bill Withers’ classic “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and a fiery interpolation of Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child.” Both tracks are from Marya’s long-awaited second album, Paying The Bills, titled for these times, and in tribute to the ‘Bills’ whose music has influenced her: Billie Holiday, Bill Withers, Billy Eckstine, Billy Preston, Bill “Count” Basie, and more. Despite pandemic logistics, Marya is paying her respects — and the ‘Bills.’

Marya Lawrence