Jay
Lawrence (Drums, Percussion)
You'd never guess that a young man who grew up in Reno, Nevada who played
in casinoes would someday grow up to play in a band that celebrates
American Folk Hymns. Nor would you guess that someone who played for
Liberache, Cher, and the Osmonds would be a very faith-centered, value-based
man. Yet, music was his way of expressing himself, a great way to earn
money for his mission and to eventually support his family, and celebrate
the heritage he was blessed with.
Jay Lawrence's musical roots go back as far as he can research. In his ancestry, Jay has a professional musician in every generation he can find and is grateful for the music that is in his blood. His mother received a scholarship to college for music, his grandfather was a professional guitarist and played jazz.
Subsequently, Jay loves jazz, salsa and funk music. In addition to his grandfather, Jay's music career has been greatly influenced by Milt Jackson, Gary Burton, Jeff Hamilton, Buddy Rich and Alex Acuna.
At the young age of 12 he began playing all kinds of instruments. He started on the piano and guitar, and then moved to the bass before finding his beloved percussion instruments. In high school he played percussion in the marching band.
But Enoch Train? Jay, a professor of music at Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, and Westminster College certainly has enough to keep him busy. Teaching advanced improvisation, percussion, and Jazz History is his first job. Throw in a wife and a family with six children, one son-in-law, and his calling in the LDS Church as a second counselor in a bishopric, why does he keep up with Enoch Train?
Because he feels he was destined to share his talent of music. He has been directed to use music as a spiritual endeavor, a temporal endeavor, and a mental endeavor. "Enoch Train is more than a job," says Lawrence. "Enoch Train has a musical mission and I am humbled to take part in that. The vision Clive Romney has is incredible. As a group we interpret music that has a powerful message."
Outside his very busy life Jay and his wife Linda, now married for 20 years, have six kids. Tori, 19, Tony, 18, Heather, 16, Rochelle, 15, Kenny, 13, and Tiffany 10, all keep Jay very busy. He also enjoys reading, studying financial markets, studying gospel topics, but most of all his family
