Lawrence Leathers Biography
Lawrence Leathers, a 37-year-old Grammy-winning jazz drummer dies on Sunday, June 2nd. Lawrence Leathers was died after an encounter with a romantic rival in the stairwell of a Bronx apartment building on Sunday, June 2nd, 2019, according to New York Daily News.
Lawrence Leathers Education & Music Career
According to Lansing State Journal, Leathers graduated from Sexton High School and attended classes at Michigan State University’s School of Music and the Julliard School in New York. He left Julliard after two years to pursue a full-time music career.
“We all felt he was out of his mind when he did that,” Brandon Leathers told LSJ. “Who quits Julliard? If anything, Julliard cuts you.
The artist went on to win two Grammy Awards. Leathers played in the backing trio for Cecile McLorin Salvant and he is featured on, “For One to Love” and “Dreams and Daggers”, both of which won Grammy Awards for best jazz vocal album.
Leathers was slated to perform in an after-hours jam session at Smalls Live, a club in Greenwich Village, on Monday, June 3rd, from 1 a.m to 4 a.m. He would have joined Ben Barnett on trombone, Davis Whitfield on piano, and Alexander Claffy on bass.
According to the Smalls Live website, Leathers has played over 270 shows at the venue, dating all the way back to 2008.
The club’s website also includes a link to Leathers’ artist profile on MySpace.
Lawrence Leathers Instagram
Leathers’ Last Post on Instagram Was a ‘Goodbye’. “ The text in the Instagram post reads: Goodbye, It’s been real.”
The photo was posted on Leathers’ Instagram account on Sunday, June 2 and received over 200 comments. The musician had almost 3,000 followers on Instagram.
The post confused some people, as the timing and tone made them believe Leathers took his own life.
“Lawrence didn’t commit suicide this post had a different intent when he made it,” one user commented under the post.
Lawrence Leathers Girlfriend (Lisa Harris)
Leathers lived with his girlfriend, Lisa Harris, in his apartment on E. 141st St. in the Bronx’s Mott Haven section according to New York Daily News.
Leathers’ landlord told the outlet “They had a party the night before, and I figured he just OD’ed. Oh my God, there was a murder in my house.”
The outlet reported that the pair were celebrating Harris’ graduation from CUNY and her plans to become a schoolteacher.
Police have arrested Lisa Harris and her ex-boyfriend Sterling Aguilar and charged them both with assault.
Lawrence Leathers Death and Cause
Lawrence Leathers died after an encounter with a romantic rival in the stairwell of a Bronx apartment building on Sunday, June 2nd, 2019, according to New York Daily News.
Leathers Was Scheduled to Play a Show on Monday, June 3, 2019
Leathers was slated to perform in an after-hours jam session at Smalls Live, a club in Greenwich Village, on Monday from 1 a.m to 4 a.m. He would have joined Ben Barnett on trombone, Davis Whitfield on piano, and Alexander Claffy on bass.
According to the Smalls Live website, Leathers has played over 270 shows at the venue, dating all the way back to 2008.
The club’s website also includes a link to Leathers’ artist profile on MySpace.
People Are Reacting to the News on Social Media
Heartbreaking to read the news… Condolences to the friends, family and loved ones of an absolutely phenomenal drummer who will live on through the music he helped create, Lawrence Leathers @SwingStixxx pic.twitter.com/wac9pAC6pu
— Brynner Agassi (@BrynnerAgassi) June 4, 2019
Rest easy, brother Lawrence Leathers @SwingStixxx. Thank you for your commitment to MUSIC, COMMUNITY, & SUPPORT. You will truly be missed. https://t.co/VbH6ldaqit pic.twitter.com/WF4zsgxqea
— Jaleel Shaw (@jaleelshaw) June 4, 2019
RIP Lawrence Leathers. He was an incredible jazz drummer who lives on through his Grammy award winning work. Give him a listen on Cecile McLorin Salvant’s “For One to Love” and “Dreams and Daggers.” Truly a huge loss.
— rip (@GriffinRipley) June 4, 2019