Meet the Collective: Lawrence Cotton

At 96 years young (as of February 3. 2023), pianist Lawrence Cotton holds seniority as the eldest member of the Preservation Hall Musical Collective. Born in Uptown New Orleans along the Mississippi River, Lawrence has never lived anywhere else—and has never wanted to.

His father, an amateur pianist who entertained family and friends on the piano at house parties, inspired Lawrence to teach himself how to play as a boy. He didn't receive any formal training until he was a young man, after returning from three years of service in the United States Air Force. Like many New Orleans servicemen with an interest in music, he used the G.I. Bill to enroll in the Grunewald School of Music.

His first professional job was at a local club with bassist Lloyd Lambert’s rhythm and blues band. The group soon hit the road and backed up a number of R&B stars, including Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, and Guitar Slim. After four years, Lawrence was ready to return to New Orleans and immerse himself in the music scene. He joined the band of Dave Bartholomew, traveled with legendary trumpeter Wallace Davenport on a European tour, and played with Teddy Riley alongside drummer, neighbor and life-long friend Kerry Brown.

In 1980, Lawrence's beloved wife suffered a debilitating stroke. For the next 17 years until her death, he cared for her every need.

By the time Hurricane Katrina approached New Orleans, Lawrence was nearly 80 years old and still performing regularly. The night before the storm hit, he was playing at Maison Bourbon Jazz Club and not feeling well. He asked his friend Kerry Brown to drive him to Touro Infirmary, where he would spend the coming days weathering the storm that changed this city forever.

Fortunately, his home was spared from severe damage, and Lawrence was able to return to New Orleans and return to performing weekly, as he has done ever since. In recent years, Lawrence has continued to study music academically, celebrate Mardi Gras with his namesake annual Cotton Fest, and perform with his righteously-named band, The Legendary Experience. In 2019, the Preservation Hall Foundation named him a Master Practitioner. We can't wait to see him tickle the ivories again at 726 St. Peter.