“Laurence Jackson and Ashley Wass mastermind the most exquisitely poised and insightful interpretation I've yet encountered...as should be abundantly clear by now, this is a superlative issue.”
-- The Gramophone, November 2006 on 8.557540 Bax
“Violinist Laurence Jackson and Ashley Wass give gorgeous performances of the violin sonatas...beautifully played and recorded”
-- Dallas Morning News, October 2006
After studying at Chethams School Of Music, Laurence Jackson gained a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in 1984, where he studied with Emanuel Hurwitz, Maurice Hasson and Anne-Sophie Mutter and was a prizewinner at the 1985 Yehudi Menuhin ‘Concours de Paris’ Competition.
In November 1990, Jackson received 1st Prize at the 17th International Violin Competition 'Dr Luis Sigall' held in Vina del Mar, Chile and subsequently gave concerto and recital performances throughout South America. Since making his Royal Festival Hall debut in 1990, Laurence has forged a successful career both as a soloist and chamber musician, appearing with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra as well as directing the Guildhall Strings, Calgary Festival Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and guest leading the London Festival Orchestra and Britten Sinfonia. In 2006, he accepted the position of Leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, with whom he also appears as soloist, including a performance of Dvorak’s violin concerto with Sakari Oramo in October 2007.
From 1994 to 2006, Laurence was leader of the Maggini Quartet, with whom he toured throughout the USA, Canada and Europe to much critical acclaim. Worldwide sales of their recordings for their Naxos series have exceeded 100,000 discs. With the Maggini's, he won the 2001 Gramophone Chamber Music Award of the Year, the 2002 Cannes Classical Award. They were nominated for a GRAMMY® Award in both 2004 and 2005.
With pianist Ashley Wass, Jackson has recorded two discs for Naxos of the complete repertoire for violin and piano by Sir Arnold Bax. The first volume was released in September 2006 to wide critical acclaim and Vol.2, including the 2nd and 4th sonatas, was highly recommended in the January 2008 edition of The Gramophone.
Jackson is an Honorary Fellow of both Brunel University, London and Canterbury Christ Church University. He was awarded an ARAM in 1998. He plays a violin made by J. B. Vuillaume, circa 1850.
