Stan Lawrence is a Manchester based freelance trumpet player, teacher, and composer. He graduated with a first class music degree from the University of Manchester in 2024 and has since worked as a freelance musician. Stan has completed ten months working in a six-piece band on cruise ships, playing in production shows, as well as lots of jazz combo gigs. When he is in the UK, he is active in the North West and UK scene. He co-founded and runs the jazz fusion band Lick the Moon, which has released an EP and been featured on various radio stations including BBC Radio 3. Stan runs his own contemporary classical trio, of trumpet, tuba and soprano voice, which recently made its debut at the prestigious Swaledale Festival. While at University Stan was lucky enough to record an EP with four-time Grammy winning percussionist Carlos Maldonado. He plays regularly with many other groups such as Knock Out Brass, Llareggub Brass Band, and has also played in many other ensembles, such as New Regency Orchestra, NQ Jazz Orchestra, Ruff Trade, DGKollective, and recently played lead trumpet with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.
Stan has played at many prominent festivals and venues, including London Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, Manchester International Festival, Barbican Centre, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Band on the Wall main stage, Anthony Burgess Centre, Milton Court, Matt and Phreds, Tonnau Festival, Eat in the Park Festival, Vortex Jazz Club, and Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho. Stan’s main focus is now on jazz, but he is a formally trained classical musician, and he recently played the solo trumpet part of Shostakovich’s 1st Piano Concerto with the Manchester University Symphony Orchestra, having been one of the winners of the University’s Concerto Competition.
Stan is also a keen teacher and workshop leader. As well as being one of the Musical Directors and Managers of the Manchester University Big Band, for two years he also directed the University’s Jazz Ensemble, which involved running weekly workshops for musicians of any ability. He has also given one-off and regular one to one trumpet and piano lessons to many pupils over the years.