Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

July 23, 1934 in New York City, NY

Death

:

June 4, 2004 in Boston, MA

 

Steve Lacy was an American jazz saxophonist and composer who was born on July 23, 1934, in New York City. He was raised in a musical family, and his father was a jazz bassist. Lacy began playing the clarinet at the age of 16 and later switched to the soprano saxophone, which became his signature instrument. Lacy's early influences included jazz legends such as Sidney Bechet and Thelonious Monk. He attended the Manhattan School of Music and later studied with pianist and composer Cecil Taylor. Lacy's early career was marked by collaborations with other jazz musicians, including pianist Mal Waldron and drummer Elvin Jones. In the 1960s, Lacy became interested in the avant-garde jazz movement and began experimenting with free jazz and improvisation. He formed a quartet with pianist Don Cherry, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Billy Higgins, which became known for its innovative approach to jazz. The quartet recorded several albums, including "The Forest and the Zoo" and "Evidence." Lacy also began to explore the possibilities of solo saxophone performance, which became a hallmark of his later work. He recorded several solo albums, including "The Wire" and "The Flame." In addition to his work as a performer, Lacy was also a prolific composer. He wrote over 300 compositions, many of which were inspired by the poetry of William Blake and other literary figures. Lacy's compositions often featured complex harmonies and unconventional structures, and he was known for his use of extended techniques on the saxophone. Lacy's career was marked by numerous highlights, including performances at major jazz festivals around the world. He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1972 and a MacArthur Fellowship in 1992, which recognized his contributions to the field of jazz. Lacy continued to perform and record throughout his career, collaborating with a wide range of musicians from different genres. He passed away on June 4, 2004, in Boston, Massachusetts, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most innovative and influential saxophonists in the history of jazz.

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