Lawrence Lucie

• Born: December 18, 1907, Emporia, VA
• Active: '20s, '30s, '40s, '50s
• Genres: Jazz
• Instrument: Guitar
• Representative Albums: "Sophisticated Lady/After Sundown," "This Is It... The Innovator," "Mixed Emotions"

Biography

Mostly a nonsoloing rhythm guitarist throughout his career, Lawrence Lucie was on many important recording sessions and had a lengthy playing career. As a child he learned banjo, mandolin and violin, playing with a family band at dances. After moving to New York, he studied banjo at the Brooklyn Conservatory but immediately became a guitarist when he started playing professionally. Lucie performed with the orchestras of Duke Ellington (briefly in 1932), Benny Carter (1932-34), Fletcher Henderson (1934), the Mills Blue Rhythm Band (1934-36), back with Henderson (1936-39), Coleman Hawkins (1940) and Louis Armstrong (1940-44). In addition to recording with all of the above (except Ellington), Lucie was on record dates with Teddy Wilson & Billie Holiday, Spike Hughes, Putney Dandridge, Big Joe Turner, Red Allen and Jelly Roll Morton. With the end of the big band era, Lucie often worked in a quartet with his wife guitarist-singer Nora Lee King. He also gigged with Luis Russell, Louie Bellson (1959) and Cozy Cole in the 1950's and became a busy studio musician. On his own Toy label, Lawrence Lucie recorded a series of so-so easy-listening Lp's during the 1970's/80's that often featured his wife. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

It Was Good...It is Good Buy this CD

This Is It... The Innovator Buy this CD