Josh Lawrence is a Philadelphia trumpeter and GRAMMY-nominated artist, composer, bandleader, and educator living in Philadelphia where he is on faculty at the University of the Arts and Drexel University.

Lawrence is widely recognized as one of the leading voices in Philadelphia’s creative music scene. As a bandleader he has released multiple acclaimed recordings on Posi-Tone Records, and for more than a decade he has been a member of the celebrated Captain Black Big Band. As a collaborator he has performed with artists including Seal, Erykah Badu, and Philadelphia’s own Boyz II Men, working across the jazz tradition and the broader world of contemporary music.

Regularly performing on stages across the country, Lawrence brings that same spirit of collaboration and musical storytelling to Chris’ Jazz Cafe, creating a night that highlights Philadelphia’s deep musical community while inviting the audience directly into the experience. Special guests, audience requests, and a house band of standout local players ensure that every performance is unique.