Lawrence Cotton (born February 2, 1927) is an American R&B and jazz pianist who performs and lives in New Orleans, Louisiana.
[4] Inspired to play piano by his father, Cotton was self-taught[7] until after serving in the Army Air Corps, where he was promoted to sergeant.
[3] Gruenwald faculty members included Louis Barbarin, Frank Federico, Otto Finck, Willie Humphrey, Clyde Kerr Sr., and Wardell Quezergue.
Many noted New Orleans musicians such as Warren Bell, Al Belletto, Peter “Chuck” Badie, Edgar Blanchard, Eddie Bo, Ernest McLean, Earl Palmer, Robert Parker, Tommy Ridgley, and Alvin “Red” Tyler studied at Gruenwald.
[9] One of Cotton's first professional jobs was substituting for Jeanette Kimball at a gig with Papa French at a private club on Canal Street.
[10] Cotton was called to play with Lambert's orchestra when Hosea Hill hired them to tour with Eddie "Guitar Slim" Jones.
[1] During his time with Lambert's band, Cotton also performed behind such artists as T-Bone Walker and Big Joe Turner.
After the Gondoliers broke up in 1963 Cotton began playing in Danny White's Cavaliers, at the time the top R&B band in New Orleans.
[15] Also in 1966 Cotton got a day job doing clerical work with U.S. Customs, happy to have a regular paycheck and benefits.
According to Cotton, the band consisted of Dave Bartholomew on trumpet, Warren Payne on sax, Smokey Johnson on drums, and himself on piano.
He is honored with the annual namesake Cotton Fest,[7] with musicians that have included Leo Nocentelli, Deacon John, and Bo Dollis Jr. and the Wild Magnolias.