Soul Strutter: Jarrod Lawson [2023-03-08]

Jarrod Lawson kicked off his ten date UK 'one man' tour last night at The Maltings in Ely, Cambridgeshire. He humbly introduced himself admitting that he was extremely nervous and vulnerable which only served to endear him to the audience.

His first song was a new song written for his new wife Evalee Gertz who he married on 25 June 2022 at Cave Creek Farm, Trout Lake, WA, where they first met in the summer of 2018. He also recorded the track "Evalee" on "Be The Change" which he sang later in the first set which consisted of mainly new songs and ended with a tribute to one of his influences Chick Corea.

He opened the second set with new a song titled "Presently" which he wrote when his first marriage was ending prior to releasing his highly acclaimed eponymous debut album in 2014. Jarrod told us that it was the first time that he had ever performed the song as he was not able to perform it before as it was too raw emotionally to get through to the end. It was a very touching song.

The next song was his forthcoming single due next Friday (17 Mar) which is his interpretation of Prince's "I Would I Die 4 U" followed by the track "Niburu" from his predominantly instrumental album "Visions" released exclusively on vinyl by Izipho Soul in 2020 under the alias Orpheus.

One of the highlights, for me, of the evening was Jarrod playing along with a percussion demo by Sammy Figueroa for the title track of his sophomore album "Be The Change". Three new songs followed and he encored with, probably my favourite track from "Be The Change", "Love Isn't Always Enough" so I left a very happy chappy. The audience had prompted him for "Footsteps In The Dark" which he said he couldn't really do justice to without backing support.

We must take time out to thank Simon Manni for persuading/encouraging/supporting Jarrod to take this bold step of performing 'naked' and organising the ten date tour. The next four dates are in London this weekend (two shows per day) at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho, which are all sold out, followed by Nottingham, Luton, Leek, Manchester and Margate between now and 25th March.

All dates listed below with tickets available from the venues. Get them now before they are also sold out.