Brian Lawrence is a distinguished musician specializing in jazz and commercial music. He is currently a Doctoral Teaching Fellow at the University of North Texas College of Music, Division of Jazz Studies. In this role, Brian directs the Seven O’Clock Lab Band, teaches courses in jazz arranging and jazz piano, and performs with the renowned, seven-time Grammy-nominated UNT One O’Clock Lab Band. Prior to UNT, Brian served as Interim Director of Jazz Studies at Central Washington University, as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and taught public school music in the Greater Seattle area.

Under Brian’s leadership, the CWU Jazz Band was awarded a 2022 DownBeat Magazine Student Music Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Jazz Ensemble. A passionate jazz educator, Brian is a frequent clinician at regional schools and festivals. He has presented at the Jazz Education Network Conference, Washington Music Educators Association Conference, and has been featured on Microsoft’s Education Blog. 

Brian’s arrangements have been performed by prominent artists including Tia Fuller, Joshua Redman, Lyle Lovett, Allison Miller, Helen Sung, Michael League, and the United States Air Force Band Airmen of Note. His work has appeared on NBC’s The Today Show, Carnival Cruise Line, the Tournament of Roses Parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Boeing Classic Golf PGA Champions Tournament, Seattle Seahawks NFL halftime shows, and the Christchurch New Zealand Big Band Festival. His performance credits include serving as musical director for a nationally touring Carpenters tribute band, performing with Princess and Holland America Cruise Lines, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy directed by Christian McBride, and numerous freelance engagements. Collegiate credits include the UNT One and Two O’Clock Lab Bands, the UNLV Jazz Ensemble 1, and the CWU Jazz Band 1. As a student performer and composer, Brian is a six-time recipient of DownBeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards.

Brian publishes his compositions and arrangements on his website, and through Hal Leonard’s  ArrangeMe  platform. Upon completion of his Doctoral studies, Brian hopes to return to teaching as Director of Jazz Studies at a university, or pursue a freelance career in music education, composition, arranging and production.