Kevin Lawlor is a jazz drummer and bandleader
in Wexford, Ireland and is the Director of Jazz and
Drum Tutor at County Wexford School of Music
‘This is an exciting and exhilarating listen from drummer,
Kevin Lawlor, and the fourth release under his leadership
for which he has written all the material. The music is tough
and sometimes uncompromising . Strong themes, tight
rhythmic grooves, and punchy arrangements that are
flexible enough to let the band dig in with some meaty
improvisations’
– Jazz Views (UK), 2020
“Stramash” represents another impressive offering from
Lawlor and his young quintet, with each piece characterised
by a strong narrative arc and plenty of variation in terms of
colour, texture and dynamics. Jazz and rock influences
combine effectively to create music that is fusion-esque, but
without ever being ‘fusion’ in the old fashioned pejorative
sense. It’s just good quality contemporary post bop jazz,
played with skill and a youthful energy.
Lawlor has been rightly credited with creating a vibrant
jazz scene in Wexford, centred mostly on the Wexford Arts
Centre. That he is attracting attention at national level and
overseas is long overdue and well justified.
– Jackie Hayden, 2019
@kevlawdrums