Jarrod Lawson - Live & Unreleased

As promised a few days ago here's a collection of live recordings of many (as yet) unreleased songs by Jarrod Lawson, some of which feature Tahirah Memory.  I'll do a separate post of live recordings of released tracks and a feature on Tahirah Memory.

Lawson is considered by many (including me) as one of the best new artists to emerge for many years. Heavily influenced by Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway as will be seen from many covers here.  I was fortunate to see him perform with Tahirah Memory in London (O2 Shepherds Bush Empire) in 2015 and have tried many times to see them again but as the venues have been small (i.e. several Pizza Express' and The Bear Club, Luton) I've not managed to get hold of tickets as they sell out very quickly such is their popularity in UK

Jarrod Lawson has been active since around 2010/11.  He featured on a couple of tracks with Portland trumpeter Farnell Newton. He released his self-titled debut album in Jun 2014.  The much anticipated follow-up 'Orpheus' didn't come until the end of 2019, as much of his time was spent touring and assisting Tahira Memory release her debut 'Pride' in 2015 and 'Asha' in 2019.

I hope you enjoy the clips below which showcases his/their talent and really shows that he can cut it live as good as in the studio.  How many can say that in these days of auto-tune?

Credits given to the YouTuber's who posted the live clips without whom we would not be able to enjoy these tracks as most are unreleased, but please support the artists and buy their albums, preferably via BandCamp as the artists receive more, so that we can hear some more great music from them.

Jarrod Lawson @ BandCamp
Tahirah Memory @ BandCamp

There's a short biography on Ronnie Scott's website

Jarrod Lawson [2014] - Not Gonna Let 'Em 

Live @ Ronnie Scott's, London Oct 2014

Posted by Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club

An original song played at Ronnie Scott's in 2014 and yet to see a release.  The concert was streamed live to 20,000 viewers.

Jarrod Lawson [2014] - I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know

Live @ Band On The Wall, Manchester 9 Oct 2014

Recorded by Dominic McLeman

Jarrod's first UK mini-tour concluded at Manchester' Band On The Wall after selling-out Ronnie Scotts in London. Here is his interpretation of Donny Hathaway's 'I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know'. A song written by Blood Sweat & Tears founder Al Kooper and recorded on their debut album 'Child Is A Father To A Man'.

Jarrod Lawson [2014] - All The Things You Are

Posted by Jarrod Lawson

This is his interpretation of jazz standard recorded by Ella Fitzgerald from 2014 posted by Jarrod Lawson on his YouTube channel.

Jarrod Lawson [2014] - Well You Needn't

Posted by Jarrod Lawson

Another jam posted by Jarrod and his interpretation of Thelonious Monk's Well You Needn't.

Jarrod Lawson [2015] - Everything Is Clear

Live Portland Prime 2015

Posted by Farnell Newton

This is not unreleased but probably not that well known as it was released on Portland trumpeter Farnell Newton's 2011 album Class Is Now In Session.

Jarrod Lawson [2015] - A Song For You

Live @ The Jazz FM Awards 10 Jun 2015

Posted by JazzFM

JazzFM's Soul Artist Of The Year 2015 with a live rendition of Leon Russell's song best known by Donny Hathaway but of course many have covered it including a good version by Christina Aguilera.

Jarrod Lawson [2015] - Ex-Factor 

Live 1Xtra Live Lounge (Trevor Nelson) 3 Jul 2015

Posted by BBC Radio 1Xtra

Cover of Lauryn Hill's Ex-Factor

Technically this was released in 2017 but only as the actual live recording.

Jarrod Lawson [2015] - Can't Hide Love 

Live @Bolsoul, Croatia Oct 2015

Posted by FIVE

Cover of Skip Scarborough's song 'Can't Hide Love' originally recorded by Creative Source as 'You Can't Hide Love' in 1973 as their debut single and then recorded by Earth, Wind & Fire on their Gratitude album in 1975 and release as a single in 1976.

Bolsoul is a soul music festival at Elaphusa Hotel, Bol, Island Of Brac, Croatia co-founded by Ian Dewhurst (who used to be known as DJ Frank on the Northern Souls scene) and Carl Webster.  It started in 2015 and Jarrod Lawson appeared along with Tracy Hamlin and Rose Vincent.

Jarrod Lawson [2015] - Knocks Me Off My Feet 

Live Studio NPO Soul & Jazz Hilversum, Holland Oct 2015]

Posted by NPO Soul & Jazz

Cover of Stevie Wonder' Knocks Me Off My Feet recorded in live in NPO Radio 6 studios in Hilversum Holland.

Jarrod Lawson [2015] - A Song For You 

Live Studio NPO Soul & Jazz Hilversum, Holland Oct 2015]

Posted by NPO Soul & Jazz

Another version of A Song For You recorded live in NPO Radio 6 studios in Hilversum, Holland.

Jarrod Lawson, Chance Hayden & Tyrone Hendrix [2015] People Get Ready 

Peace House Sessions 13 Dec 2015

Posted by Peace House Sessions (Video Filmed & Edited by Cypress Jones)

An arrangement of Curtis Mayfield's 'People Get Ready' by Jarrod Lawson (Vocals, Keyboard), Chance Hayden (Guitar), Tyrone Hendrix (Drums) with inspiration from Darrell Grant.

Jarrod Lawson [2017] - Ribbon In The Sky

Live somewhere in US in 2017

Posted by The Bead Brother

A beautiful rendition of Stevie Wonder's Ribbon In The Sky (from Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I 1982) although sound and picture quality not brilliant with some people in the audience who think we want to listen to them rather than the band!

According to comments it features JP DeLaire, Ricky Peterson & St. Paul Peterson.

It was posted in Sep 2017 so assume it was recorded 2017 but if anyone knows when and where this was recorded please leave a comment.

Jarrod Lawson & Tahira Memory [2017] - Let Me Be Your Peace 

Live @ Iridium Jazz & Blues Club, Broadway, New York 21 Jan 2017

Posted by Dominic McLeman

From the Intermission vinyl-only Duets EP from 2016 featuring Dan Gildea (guitar), Tyrone Hendrix (drums) and Damian Erskine (bass).

Jarrod Lawson [2017] - Love Isn't Always Enough

Live @ Iridium Jazz & Blues Club, Broadway, New York 21 Jan 2017

Posted by Dominic McLeman

Featuring Jarrod  Lawson with Tahirah Asha Memory (vocals), Molly Foote (vocals), Tyrone Hendrix (drums), Damian Erskine (bass) and Dan Gildea (guitar).

Unfortunately this is only part of this new song 'Love Isn't Always Enough' which is excellent so don't understand why this wasn't on Jarrod's or Tahirahs latest albums.

Jarrod Lawson [2017] - Something Else

Live @ Pizza Express, The Strand, London 16 Jun 2017

Posted by Dominic McLeman

Featuring Tahirah Asha Memory on vocals and Peter Knudsen on guitar.

This was the first time that this song was performed in UK. Another that is yet to see a release.

Jarrod Lawson [2017] - My Cherie Amour

Live @ Pizza Express, Birmingham 17 Jun 2017

Posted by Dominic McLeman

Another Stevie Wonder cover.

Tahirah Asha Memory & Jarrod Lawson - Diamonds and Pearls

Live @ The Pheasantry, Chelsea, London 19 Jun 2017

Posted by Colin Brown

Cover of Prince's Diamonds And Pearls.

Jarrod Lawson [2017] - Footsteps In The Dark 

Live @ City Winery, Atlanta 30 Aug 2017

Posted by GAbentley822

Cover of Isley Bros. Footsteps In The Dark from Go For Your Guns 1977.  Quite a bit of background 'chatter' on this I'm afraid.

Chance Hayden [2018] - Someday We'll All Be Free Feat. Jarrod Lawson

Posted by Chance Hayden

Another that is not unreleased but on Chance Hayden's Get Somethin' album from 2018. A cover of Donny Hathaway's classic.

Chance Hayden (Guitar), Jarrod Lawson (Vocals, Acoustic Piano), Michael Elson (Electric Piano), Damian Erskine (Bass), Michael Raynor (Drums)

Jarrod Lawson & Sammy Figueroa [2019] - Be The Change

Live Studio recording @ JazzRockTV, Cologne, Germany Sep 2109

Posted by JazzrockTV

An unreleased original recording for a planned project with percussionist Sammy Figueroa who supported Jarrod on European tour.

Jarrod Lawson [2019] - Love Isn't Always Enough

Live @ The Bird's Basement, Melbourne, Australia 14 Dec 2019

Posted by The Bird's Basement Show

Another version of this great unreleased track posted above but a better and complete recording. Features Trent Baarspul (Guitar), Chris Friesen (Bass), Cory Limuaco (Drums).

NOTE: Unfortunately this clip has now been removed from YouTube, however, with the release of his latest album, I've posted a link to the album version.

Jarrod Lawson [2019] - Battlefield

Live @ The Bird's Basement, Melbourne 14 Dec 2019

Posted by The Bird's Basement Show

An unreleased song performed at The Bird's Basement. Features Trent Baarspul (Guitar), Chris Friesen (Bass), Cory Limuaco (Drums).

NOTE: Unfortunately this clip has now been removed from YouTube, however, with the release of his latest album, I've posted a link to the album version.

Jarrod Lawson [2019] - Connected

Live @ The Bird's Basement, Melbourne 14 Dec 2019

Posted by The Bird's Basement Show

Another unreleased song performed at The Bird's Basement. Features Trent Baarspul (Guitar), Chris Friesen (Bass), Cory Limuaco (Drums).

NOTE: Unfortunately this clip has now been removed from YouTube, however, with the release of his latest album, I've posted a link to the album version.

Jarrod Lawson [2020] - I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know

Albert Street Pub, Portland, Oregon 9 Mar 2020

Posted by Dominic McLeman

Cover of Donny Hathaway's 'I Love You More Than You Will Ever Know' featuring guitarist Jubu Smith (guitar), Chris Friesen (Bass), Cory Limuaco (Drums).