The LaFlamme-Lawrence Ensemble
Left to right: Phil Lawerence, mandolin; Ned Boynton, guitar; Ned Ripple, guitar; David and Linda LaFlamme; Jeff Martin, bass
David and Linda, along with members of The Phil Lawrence Band, play jazz standards and original compositions on mandolin, violin, acoustic guitar, and upright bass. The repertoire incorporates acoustic hot swing instrumentals and original compositions by the band members, who reside in Sonoma County, California, one hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Phil Lawrence composes music and plays a vintage 1916 Gibson mandolin; Ned Boynton, guitarist, plays in a unique open-tuning; Ned Ripple provides a strong rhythm guitar; and Jeff Martin plucks and bows the acoustic bass.Phil Lawrence has been playing mandolin since 1978 when he bought his first round back mandolin on a whim. He began studying with Rudy Cipolla, the San Francisco Italian-American composer and mandolinist. He quickly learned to play all different styles of music - bluegrass, folk, rock, jazz, reggae, and even klezmer. Phil produced and published independent recordings of his original compositions in the 1980’s and 1990’s under his own label, Mandolinimal Productions. In 2004 Phil was invited by David Grisman and Mike Marshall to work as an assistant instructor at David Grisman’s Mandolin Symposium in Santa Cruz, Ca. and he performed on stage with David Grisman, Mike Marshall, Chris Thile, Mike Compton, Don Stiernberg, and Radim Zenkl. His Mandolin Mezzotints CD is still available. Phil plays a 1916 vintage Gibson F2 mandolin. Phil also plays with The Jubilee Klezmer Ensemble.
Ned Ripple has been playing guitar for roughly four decades, beginning with the early 60’s folk craze and quickly progressing to jazz. Soon after moving to the Bay Area in the early 70’s, Ned heard the fantastic music that Django created, discovered "hot jazz" in general and never looked back. Throughout the 70's and 80's he performed in many local well-known clubs with various “jive” vocal, hot-club-infused jazz bands. Ned has also appeared on local radio stations and in Mel Sharpes nationally-syndicated San Francisco "Columbus Day" special . He also performs with his jazz vocal group, On the Air.
San Francisco based Ned Boynton is an educator and player who brings a unique approach to guitar. With his playing, he has injected himself into the fabric that shapes the music community. Among his many musical credits, he lists the following:
• Founder of the group "Cafe Americain" and former member of "The Hot Club of San Francisco"
• Associate Director of Jazzmasters Worshop from 1999 to 2007.
• Featured artist at the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe from 1999 to 2007.
• Musical Director and featured artist for Enrico's Sidewalk Cafe from 1997 to 2006.
• Played in concerts with Bucky Pizzarelli, Anthony Wilson, Gary Potter, Jim Nichols, John Pisano, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Mundell Lowe, Bruce Forman, and of course Les Paul.
• Featured as a performer and writer in Just Jazz Guitar and JazzNow! Magazine. His performances have been featured on KCSM Radio, KALW Radio and on channel 53 Musician's Showcase.
Jeff Martin, bass, has played with Joanne Rand, The Ruminators, and Rachel Tree, among just a few of his musical projects. He owns Studio E in Sebastopol, a recording and performance space where he produces bands, recordings, and house concerts. Jeff studied music at Sonoma State University with the renowned jazz bassist, Mel Graves.