Background
Laurence Elder is an award-winning songwriter, vocalist, and pianist. He has toured extensively, and recorded with Grammy winners Peter Erskine and Paquito D’Rivera, who both appear as guests on his debut album, “Surrounded.” He holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Shenandoah Conservatory, a Master’s in Jazz Piano Performance from the University of Miami, and studied for over a decade with renowned pianist, author and educator Kenny Werner.
In addition to numerous accolades from music industry publications, Elder’s music has received considerable international attention, with distribution and airplay throughout Europe, Japan, and the Philippines. He has headlined with his band at New York City’s Blue Note Jazz Club, Washington DC’s Blues Alley, JAZZIZ Nightlife, and the Philippine International Jazz Festival, to name a few. He has also opened for a wide variety of artists such as Al DiMeola, Livingston Taylor, Jesse Harris, and Betty Buckley.
Laurence currently resides in Binghamton, New York and maintains an active schedule of performing, composing, teaching and music production. He performs locally as a leader and sideman, and serves on the music faculty at Binghamton University, where he is also founder and director of the Harpur Studio Jazz Band. His 2021 studio album “Walk Another Mile” has received widespread critical acclaim and national Top 10 airplay, and features an all-star lineup of musicians including jazz icons Randy Brecker and Mike Stern.
Education
- MM, University of Miami
- BM, Shenandoah Conservatory
Research Interests
- Musicianship
- Jazz Studio Band
- Composition/Songwriting
