Steve Lacy: Conversations

by Jason Weiss (Editor)

Steve Conversations is a collection of thirty-four interviews with the innovative saxophonist and jazz composer. Lacy (1934–2004), a pioneer in making the soprano saxophone a contemporary jazz instrument, was a prolific performer and composer, with hundreds of recordings to his name. This volume brings together interviews that appeared in a variety of magazines between 1959 and 2004. Conducted by writers, critics, musicians, visual artists, a philosopher, and an architect, the interviews indicate the evolution of Lacy’s extraordinary career and thought. Lacy began playing the soprano saxophone at sixteen, and was soon performing with Dixieland musicians much older than he. By nineteen he was playing with the pianist Cecil Taylor, who ignited his interest in the avant-garde. He eventually became the foremost proponent of Thelonious Monk’s music. Lacy played with a broad range of musicians, including Monk and Gil Evans, and led his own bands. A voracious reader and the recipient of a MacArthur “genius” grant, Lacy was particularly known for setting to music literary texts—such as the Tao Te Ching , and the work of poets including Samuel Beckett, Robert Creeley, and Taslima Nasrin—as well as for collaborating with painters and dancers in multimedia projects. Lacy lived in Paris from 1970 until 2002, and his music and ideas reflect a decades-long cross-pollination of cultures. Half of the interviews in this collection originally appeared in French sources and were translated specifically for this book. Jason Weiss provides a general introduction, as well as short introductions to each of the interviews and to the selection of Lacy’s own brief writings that appears at the end of the book. The volume also includes three song scores, a selected discography of Lacy’s recordings, and many photos from the personal collection of his wife and longtime collaborator, Irene Aebi. Interviews Derek Bailey, Franck Bergerot, Yves Bouliane, Etienne Brunet, Philippe Carles, Brian Case, Garth W. Caylor Jr., John Corbett, Christoph Cox, Alex Dutilh, Lee Friedlander, Maria Friedlander, Isabelle Galloni d'Istria, Christian Gauffre, Raymond Gervais, Paul Gros-Claude, Alain-René Hardy, Ed Hazell, Alain Kirili, Mel Martin, Franck Médioni, Xavier Prévost, Philippe Quinsac, Ben Ratliff, Gérard Rouy, Kirk Silsbee, Roberto Terlizzi, Jason Weiss

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2006

Reviews

[Josh Sinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than any biography of Mr. Lacy could be. This books presents nearly every interview with Steve Lacy in chronological order. In its pages, one can follow the growth and trajectory of a major American artist. Invaluable not just for the curious student of improvisation, but also for those interested in art, the politics of art and the nature of improvisation. Lacy was one of the most well-spoken members of a profession that's known more for its opaque commentary rather than lucid incisiveness. He opens a small, but clear window into what he did throughout his career.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

great collection of interviews with Steve Lacy

[Eric Cecil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring book. The interviews are all spectacular, and each one reveals something different about Lacy's influences, methods, ideas, etc. His brief ode to Stravinsky, included in the small section of his writings and notes, is one of the best artist tributes I've read in recent memory. Highly recommended.

[Paul Secor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of the soprano saxophone in jazz can be narrowed down to four main musicians: Sidney Bechet - the founding father of the instrument in the jazz world; Johnny Hodges - Bechet's pupil, who is best known as an alto saxophonist and who stopped playing soprano in the 1940's; Steve Lacy, who introduced the instrument into the world of modern jazz in the 1940's; and John Coltrane, whose recording of "My Favorite Things" made the instrument somewhat ubiquitous in the modern jazz world. Of all of these musicians, Steve Lacy was the only one who played soprano sax and didn't double on another reed instrument.
These interviews with the master soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy, spanning 45 years, almost amount to a mini-autobiography. The interviews cover a host of subjects - not only music, but art, poetry, politics, and life in general.
For me, it was a fascinating read, though I imagine only hard core fans would have that reaction.
Two parting comments: Steve Lacy recorded prolifically, appearing on well over two hundred albums over the course of his career. My good friend (and Goodreads friend) Jeff Crompton, the most ardent Steve Lacy fan I know, has collected most of these. Bless him.
And, if you Google the name Steve Lacy, you'll encounter pages and pages devoted to a young pop guitarist with the same name as the saxophonist. Evidently, the flavor of the month is more important than someone who had a musical career of fifty plus years. Sadly, that's America and the world these days.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, deep, readable book.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid and candid interviews with a bygone eminence. Sometimes a little repetitive and dry (not in the good way, like Lacy's playing was) but otherwise insightful into the partnership, in Lacy's head, of non- and extra-musical influences on his playing. Brion Gysin, Joan Miró, etc. Young, totally unique musical thinkers of today, where are you? Not playing at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, that's for sure.

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series of interviews with one of the great figures in the post-jazz movement. Lacy is witty, ultra-articulate, and he gives great insight into his composition and performance practices.