b. 6 January 1949, London, England. Laurence was born into a musical family and studied at the Royal Junior College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music. He started playing the bass professionally at the end of the 60s as one of a remarkable wave of new British jazz musicians. He worked with the bands of Frank Ricotti, Mike Westbrook, Mike Pyne, John Surman, John Taylor and Kenny Wheeler. The breadth of his musicianship has made him one of the most dependable bass players in any rhythm section. During the 80s he played in the Orchestra of the Academy of St. Martins in the Fields and the London Bach Orchestra as well as in trios with Tony Oxley, Alan Skidmore and Tony Coe as well as continuing to appear in the various bands of John Surman.