Born in Los Angeles on May 21, 1929, Lawrence Marable is one of the stalwart mainstream drummers on his hometown jazz scene, in demand for his driving cymbal work and exquisite little bombs. Largely self-taught, he started playing bop in the 1950s with a stream of stellar visitors to Los Angeles, including Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, and Wardell Gray. He recorded with the Montgomery Brothers in 1960 and also appears on records by Chet Baker, George Shearing, Sonny Stitt, Milt Jackson, and several other significant musicians. He recorded as a leader with tenor man James Clay in 1956 for the Jazz West label.

In the 1970s, he toured with Supersax and Bobby Hutcherson, and has since worked in L.A. jazz clubs and concert locales. In the late '80s and '90s, Marable has been a regular member of Charlie Haden's Quartet West, recording frequently with the group for Verve.

Richard S. Ginell -All Music Guide