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Erik Lawrence has traveled to four continents, dozens of countries and countless cities playing with music masters such as Levon Helm, Chico Hamilton, The Band, Glen Hansard, Buddy Miles, Sonny Sharrock, David Amram, Mavis Staples, Tibetan flutist Nawang Khechog, national poet laureate Robert Pinsky and others, all of whom he counts as friends, mentors and natural sound healers. Along the way, these projects have garnered two Grammys and two platinum records. It is out of this deep spiritual and musical tradition that Erik emerges as a saxophonist, flutist, composer, poet, educator, journalist and sound healer. For Erik life is a spiritual practice, music and vibration are his tools for healing and communication and he sees the world as rhythm and soul.

His own projects, Hipmotism, Merge (poetry/music ensemble), Honey Ear Trio and long associations with Steven Bernstein and many of his projects and productions, leave their marks along the way with recordings and fans near and wide. Erik began teaching college at the age of eighteen and continues to teach and give talks wherever he travels. These days he dedicates his time and passion to his own original music projects and to the visionary world of Vox Lumina. He continues to play with Levon Helm’s ensemble, The Midnight Ramble Band, of which he was a founding member and Steven Bernstein’s ensembles, MTO and Henry Butler/Steven Bernstein and the Hot 9’s.