17 North Main Street

The Josh Lawrence Jazz 3 will perform music from their second studio album Roots, an autobiographical song-cycle chronicling the bandleader’s personal and musical influences, at The Blue Rooster Bakery & Café on Friday December 17, 2010.

Lawrence, a Cranbury native, studied at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and became a popular sideman on the neo-soul and jazz scenes playing with artists from Erykah Badu to Charli Persip. After graduation, he moved to the historic Sugar Hill neighborhood in Harlem. He co-founded the Uptown Brass at the Church of the Intercession in Washington Heights, worked as musical director for the band Harlem Psychedelic and taught on faculty as brass instructor at Bronx Arts and Bronx Lab.

Featuring nine original compositions written by Lawrence and co-producer Jamal Jones, Roots is an individual story of the streets and sounds of New York City and Philadelphia – as told through a new, unique and soulful voice. The CD will be available for purchase at The Blue Rooster from December 1^st until Christmas and a free download of the single “Queesnborough Bridge Stomp” can be found at www.blueroosterbakery.com.

Located in one of historic Cranbury’s most charming Victorian homes, The Blue Rooster Bakery & Café invites you to rediscover a few of life’s enduring pleasures - simple meals prepared with fresh, natural ingredients,  a congenial place to gather with neighbors and friends and on Friday and Saturday evenings live jazz.  In the third year of operation, owners Bob & Karen Finigan continue to view The Blue Rooster as an evolving presence in the area ~ from breakfast to lunch and for the last year, dinner ~ The Blue Rooster is a favorite of many.  Bob’s breads are served with all meals and draw many to return often.  Pastries by Peter Max and menus crafted by Karen add to the overall team approach to guiding and growing the value of the Blue Rooster to its many fans.

The Josh Lawrence Jazz 3 will perform from 7 to 10 PM at the Blue Rooster Bakery & Cafe (17 North Main Street Cranbury, NJ) Friday December 17, 2010. $10 cover charge. Reservation by call: (609) 235-7539.