Her primary influences as a singer were saxophonists such as Charlie Parker, Lester Young and Sonny Rollins.

It is a full, well-developed, remarkably pliant voice with a lower range whose dark sonorities compare favorably with the deep power of Sarah Vaughan, and a high register in which she does not have to strain to project very fast, often complex, lines.

[3] She lived across the street from Al Jeter, the head of Riverside Records, and made contacts when she attended parties at his penthouse apartment.

[4][1][3] Lawson has worked with Art Farmer, Chick Corea, Ron Carter, Bob Dorough, Duke Ellington, Tommy Flanagan, Sheila Jordan, Barry Harris, Milt Hinton, Eddie Jefferson, Barney Kessel, Dave Liebman, Joe Newman, Rufus Reid, Clark Terry, Ed Thigpen, Cedar Walton, Duke Pearson and David Lahm.

[4] In the early 2000s, she was diagnosed with Lyme disease and Bell's palsy, suffering damage to her vocal cords.