Biography
As a recording artist, Billy has recorded 4 CD’s, 2 of which are live recordings at Jersey Shore locations, showing off the band’s party, rock
Comparisons to piano players such as Bruce Hornsby ( a classmate of Billy’s from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.) and Billy Joel happen often, as Billy is prone to pull out some of their songs while performing.
Billy is also an accomplished organist and is currently the choir/music director for Christ United Methodist Church, Lakewood, NJ. For CUMC he leads the 20 member choir weekly for rehearsal and services. Prior to, Billy was the organist/vocalist for Our Lady Star of the Sea RC Church, Long Branch, NJ for 23 years. Billy is always requested at various other churches for sub work when available.
Billy studied privately with Emory Hack, Perth Amboy, NJ for 8 years, and then went on to attend Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA. in the early 70’s. He studied with Dean Earl all through college. Dean was Count Basie’s sub, and also an arranger/pianist for Billie Holiday. While in Berklee, Billy was privileged to play with the likes of drummer Steve Smith, who went on to a successful career with the band “Journey”. Steve also performed with Billy on his audition tape recording for New England Conservatory of Music. As an accompanist, Billy has performed at The Julliard School and The Manhattan School of Music, both in New York, The Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY, The Boston Conservatory & Berklee College of Music, Boston MA, and Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, along with numerous, varied locations for male and female vocalists, in either the classical, jazz or popular style.
Married to his wife Linda, Billy enjoys living at the Jersey Shore year round, venturing to locations up and down the Eastern seaboard. From Rhode Island to New York, down to Washington, DC………concerts in minor league baseball stadiums……private events at the Plaza Hotel, or the New York Marathon in NYC, Billy will travel with his band, an ambassador with Jersey roots, providing the best in music and entertainment that Jersey has to offer.
Just Billy
Billy Lawlor can be found in many different musical settings! Known for many years as the leader of the popular Billy Lawlor Band on the Jersey Shore, Billy has opened up more avenues of music in which he loves to be a part of. As a leader of various jazz ensembles, Lawlor has recorded 2 CD’s in the jazz context, both of which have portions of the proceeds from sales going to charities. He also performs live jazz in concert with musicians/members of internationally acclaimed groups, such as Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, The Fab Faux, former members of Ray Charles Orchestra, and many others. The live events have become a new sensation in the NJ concert scene.
Lawlor is also an accomplished church musician. He has been an organist/accompanist in the Church world since he was in 6th grade! Currently, he is the Music Director for Christ United Methodist Church in Lakewood, NJ, responsible for running and directing a 20 member choir on a weekly basis. prior to that, he was the cantor, organist for Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Long Branch, NJ for 23 years.
When time permits, Lawlor has some private students on piano. He was instructed by the late great Emory Hack of Perth Amboy, NJ. Dean Earl, Berklee College of Music. Dean was the arranger, pianist for Billy Holiday, as well as the substitute for Count Basie! Lawlor teaches the way he was taught, focusing on the fundamentals that will allow a student to continually grow and move forward……the “meat and potatoes” of music………
As a side musician, Lawlor plays alongside and supports the finest entertainers in the tri-state area, where these performers rely on Lawlor to anchor the rhythm section, direct the band, generating the highest level of professionalism and performance from the band.
In the classical world, Lawlor can perform music solo, or in concert with vocalists, instrumentalists. He is trained
in many styles of musical accompaniment, having played for vocalists from the NY Metropolitan Opera, Broadway
Lawlor is also very much in demand in the world of Irish music. Lawlor was brought up surrounded by Irish entertainers, one of which being his Dad, Bill Lawlor Sr. Performing at locations such as the PNC Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ (formerly the Garden State Arts Center) and other large locations, Lawlor has seen and been a part of many great times singing and playing the wonderful sounds of Irish music.
