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UDEiGWE

UDEiGWE (pronounced oo-DEE-gweh) is the stage name of Lawrence Udeigwe, a Nigerian-born, New York–based artist working at the intersection of music, mathematics, and cognition. His work explores how structure shapes the way we think, using sound and lyric to make sense of perception, identity, and lived experience.

Grounded in jazz, soul, and West African rhythm, his music balances warmth and sophistication with clarity and restraint. As a singer, composer, and pianist, he draws on groove, melody, and space to create performances that are both immediate and reflective, where the music is felt first and understood more deeply over time.

His recent project, Four Lemmas, marks a shift toward long-form, concept-driven composition. Rather than treating albums as collections of songs, he constructs them as unified works in which musical form, lyrical ideas, and underlying structure develop together.

Beyond the stage, Udeigwe is a Professor of Mathematics at Manhattan University and a research affiliate in cognitive and brain sciences at MIT. This dual perspective, analytical precision and artistic expression, informs a body of work guided by a simple principle: structure shapes cognition, and cognition finds its way into expression.


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2
Radio & Podcasts

Rhythm Sustained with Bassist John Gray

Read "Rhythm Sustained with Bassist John Gray" reviewed by UDEiGWE


Bassist John Gray stops by to discuss Lorens Chuno's new album, Rhythm Sustained on which he played. The two musicians ended up discussing many things including the making of the album, Texas, Mr Know-it-all and many subtly related stuff. Rhythm Sustained features Lorens Chuno on vocal, piano, and percussion; John Gray on bass; Michael Vitali on drums; Takafumi Suenaga on piano; Michael Eaton on saxophone; Wayne Tucker on trumpet; Tom Larson on guitar; and Albino Mbie on guitar.

52
Album Review

Lorens Chuno: Naija Rhythm Affair, NYC

Read "Naija Rhythm Affair, NYC" reviewed by James Nadal


Having relocated to America from Nigeria in 2000 to pursue advanced studies in mathematics, vocalist Lorens Chuno was repeatedly drawn back into the music of his homeland, and found a novel method of fusing it with American jazz. Chuno, now an established university math professor, delved into his artistic persona in 2008, releasing “Highlife, Soul, and Ecstasy" that year, and “My House" in 2012. Naija Rhythm Affair, NYC, is a sophisticated blend of original compositions set in a progressive cosmopolitan ...

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8
Recording

NYC-Based Nigerian Singer/Songwriter/Pianist Lorens Chuno "Rhythm Sustained" Available Now!

NYC-Based Nigerian Singer/Songwriter/Pianist Lorens Chuno "Rhythm Sustained" Available Now!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Lorens has worked with Geri Allen, Marc Cary and opened for Angelique Kidjo! About Lorens Chuno Audiences have praised Lorens Chuno's performance as energy-filled, captivating and elegant. The New York-based Nigerian musician has created a unique sound that has a broad appeal. His warm and dynamic vocal styling is the perfect vehicle for his catchy and bold modern jazz compositions that are always complete with soul and West African influences. Lorens Chuno has played several distinguished venues and festivals across ...

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Performance / Tour

Lorens Chuno "Naija Rhythm Affair, NYC" - CD Release Performance On September 11 At DROM!

Lorens Chuno "Naija Rhythm Affair, NYC" - CD Release Performance On September 11 At DROM!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

LORENS CHUNO, WEST-AFRICAN JAZZ FUSION! Gaining International Airplay and Reviews Interviewed Recently on KUNV (Las Vegas) Interview on Los Angeles “Talk Radio" Soon Thursday, August 25th Show: 8pm Shrine World Music Venue 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. New York, NY 10030 212-690-7807 CD Release Gig on Sunday, September 11th Door: 6:30pm | Show: 7:15pm DROM 85 Avenue A New ...

“UDEiGWE never asks listeners to choose between intellect and feeling.” — JW Vibe, 2026

“At the intersection of creativity and academia, Udeigwe is rewriting the rules of contemporary sound, blending the precision of mathematics with the soul of jazz.”  – The Guardian 2024 

“[as Lorens Chuno]… remarkable vocal qualities, enhanced by his ability to establish and maintain a sense of groove.” – All About Jazz 2016

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Four Lemmas

LU Factors
2026

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Rhythm Sustained

From: Rhythm Sustained
By UDEiGWE

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From: Naija Rhythm Affair, NYC
By UDEiGWE

Videos

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