Lawrence Leathers (Lansing)

Mr. Lawrence Benjamin “LB” ”Lo” Leathers passed away Sunday, June 2, 2019 in the Bronx, New York. Age 37 years. Lawrence was born in Lansing, Michigan to Moses and Carolyn Leathers on November 23, 1981. He was the first of two sons born to this union.

LB / Lo, even at an early age was extremely energetic, always “n” motion. To help focus that energy, his mother Carolyn enrolled both he and Brandon in soccer and track (“running, running, and running”). During elementary school, Mrs. Verna Holley introduced him to the world of music. By age seven, he became fascinated with drums and was mentored by Pastor Joe Lane, who was then the minister of music at New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Lawrence was active in his church music department. It was here, that he professed his faith in Jesus Christ. As he grew, it became clear that he had developed a love of music and learned to play many instruments. While attending Dwight Rich Middle School, Mrs. Sallie Jones helped to cultivate his growth in music while he turned his focus to the percussion family, specifically, the drum set.

Lawrence attended J. W. Sexton High school where he was a member of the marching band and drumline, which was directed by Mr. Tom Jones, another lifelong mentor. He became section leader as a sophomore and retained that position throughout high school. It was also at this time; he began to develop his craft as a jazz musician. At the age of 15 he got his first shot playing on a gig with Joe Lane at Cappuccino Café in East Lansing, and never looked back. He continued his study of music at Michigan State University where he was taught and mentored by several jazz greats, including Professors Rodney Whitaker, Wycliffe Gordon and Randy Gillespie.

He moved to Kansas City, Kansas to pursue a career in music, and then after a few years it was off to “The Big Apple.” In 2007, he attended The Julliard School of Music where he rose quickly among the ranks to perform and record with some of the music greats including Wynton Marsalis, Steve "Guitar" Miller, Roy Hargrove, Mulgrew Miller, Cyrus Chestnut, Rodney Whitaker, Christian McBride, and Wycliffe Gordon.

Lawrence found a place as the drummer for Cecile McLorin Salvant, a rising star and singer in the jazz industry and the Aaron Diehl Trio. With them he earned two Grammy Awards: For One to Love in 2016 and Dreams and Daggers in 2018. He also recorded and performed with John Chin, George Delancey, Josh Levine, Melissa Gardiner, John Dokes, and his dear friend, J C Stylles with whom he recorded two albums—Exhilaration and Other States and Blakey Grease—both which rose high on the USA jazz charts.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Carolyn Leathers and his grandmothers, Bessie Lawson and Gloria Ann Barnes.

He leaves to cherish his memory, father, Moses; brothers, Brandon and Aaron; sister Aireonna; grandfather, Lawrence Benjamin, from whom he took his name; godmothers, Brenda Juniel and Mattie Blair, along with their children and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and musicians around the globe.

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