Four Classic Albums (Soprano Sax / Reflections - Plays Thelonious Monk / Straight Horn Of Steve Lacy / Evidence)

Born in New York City, Steven Norman Lackritz (better known to jazz fans as Steve Lacy ) was one of a rare breed of jazz men to play the soprano sax, almost exclusively. Other famously few players include Sidney Bechet, Johnny Hodges and occasionally John Coltrane. For a musician starting life in a Dixieland jazz band playing alongside such greats as Henry "Red" Allen and Pee Wee Russell, Steve Lacys jazz journey may look an unexpected one. As the 1950's developed he found himself swimming in the progressive, experimental and free improvisational jazz stream. This may have had something to do with a meeting with legendary avant-garde pianist Cecil Taylor with whom he played on the great man's debut album "Jazz Advance" (Featured on AVID title AMSC1116)! Lacys other big influence was the piano playing and as importantly, composing of Thelonious Monk. Lacys connection with Monk began with his appearance on a Monk album and he has gone on to include many Monk songs in his repertoire, including of course one of our selections, "Reflections "which is an entire album of Monk compositions!Other musicians Steve Lacy has played with include Wynton Kelly, Gil Evans, Herbie Nichols, Roy Haynes, Billy Higgins, Don Cherry, Elvin Jones, Rosewell Rudd, Mal Waldron and Duke Ellington!