Lawrence Ku, along with a handful of other musicians, is at the forefront of the jazz scene in China. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Lawrence has done graduate work in jazz studies at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA and has received a master's degree in composition from the Longy School of Music in Cambridge.   He has performed with such notable jazz musicians as Joe Lovano, Maria Schneider, George Russell and James Morrison, and has studied with such greats as Ben Monder, Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, Charlie Banacos and George Lewis.   Originally coming to Beijing in 1997, Lawrence immediately became immersed in its fledgling jazz scene. He is now one of the most sought after jazz musicians and educators in the country.   His group, the Lawrence Ku Septet has performed at the Helsinki Jazz Festival in Helsinki, Finland and the Fu Xing Park International Jazz Festival in Shanghai.   He has performed in various festivals and venues in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, including the Beijing International Jazz Festival, the Midi Jazz Festival, The Nan Jing International Jazz Festival, The Oriental Arts Center, Shanghai Center Theater, the Beijing Concert Hall, JZ Club, Innonation Music Institute and many others.   Lawrence has taught jazz guitar and theory at the Contemporary Music Institute and the MIDI School of Music in Beijing.   He is a founding member of the The Far East Quartet, The Red Groove Project, and the Touchstone Quartet.   Currently, he resides in Shanghai where he is the music director for the JZ School.   His new CD ' Process' is due for release in May of 2007.