Lawrence Leathers, the Grammy winning jazz drummer, has died at 37 in New York City after what police describe as an assault over the weekend.
According to the New York Police Department, Leathers was found unconscious in the stairwell of his Bronx apartment building and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police arrested his girlfriend, Lisa, 41, and Sterling, 28, on Monday. Both were charged with first and second degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The charges are allegations, and the case has not been decided in court.
People reported on a criminal complaint alleging that Sterling held Leathers by the neck for almost 30 minutes while Lisa sat on his chest and punched him several times in the face. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death homicidal asphyxia with compression of the neck. No public response from either person was included in the initial reports.
The Michigan native built a presence on the New York City jazz scene after attending the Juilliard School. He formed a trio with pianist Aaron Diehl and bassist Paul Sikivie and performed as the backing band for singer Cécile McLorin Salvant.
Leathers earned two Grammy awards playing for Salvant, first on 2015’s For One to Love and again in 2017 for Dreams and Daggers. Both won best jazz vocal album. He was scheduled to perform Monday at Smalls Jazz Club, where he often played.
Lawrence Leathers was 37. Baller Alert sends condolences to his family, friends and fans.
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