artists
McNaughton, Laurence
Laurence had his first piano lesson at the age of seven. By the time he was
ten, he was performing original compositions in school concerts. Growing
up, he played with Pendulum (also known as the Berkshire Youth Jazz
Orchestra) and played at jazz haunts including the Bull's Head, Barnes in
London and the Brecon Jazz Festival. With Pendulum, he was fortunate enough
to play with some the great stars of the jazz world today, including
Mornington Lockett, Ben Castle, Stan Sulzmann, Simon Allen and Steve
Waterman. For four years Laurence studied with Peter Churchill of the
Guildhall and Royal Academy, as well as playing in masterclasses with Trevor
Tompkins, Nikki Iisles and Jean Tousaint. In 2003 he formed his first trio
which played extensively around the south of the UK. Laurence travelled to
New York in spring 2004 where he studied for two months with Kirk Nurock of
the New School University and Fred Hersch. On returning to England,
Laurence focussed on his solo jazz piano work and his jazz-electro ensemble
Melendez Mills which played regularly at the Hanbury Ballroom in Brighton.
Laurence is currently a student at the Royal Northern College of Music in
Manchester.
