Steve Lacy One of the world's greatest jazz saxophonists Date of Birth: 23.07.1934 Country: USA

1. Steve Lacy: A Jazz Legend
2. Early Life and Musical Journey
3. Finding his Passion
4. Collaborations and Musical Evolution
5. The Birth of the Name Lacy
6. Exploring Avant-Garde Jazz
7. European Success
8. Life in Paris
9. Final Years and Legacy

Steve Lacy: A Jazz Legend

Steve Lacy, one of the greatest jazz saxophonists in the world, became renowned for his virtuosic playing on the soprano saxophone, a talent that remains unmatched to this day. He inspired great jazz musicians such as John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Stephen Norman Lackritz, later known as Steve Lacy, was born on July 23 in one of the most challenging neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York. He discovered jazz at the age of twelve and quickly became popular in New York. Initially, he attended various jazz concerts as a photographer, one of his hobbies. However, he soon desired to be on stage and be part of the performance. Lacy enrolled in a music school, where he took clarinet lessons from Cecil Scott. But his musical preferences took a sharp turn after a life-changing incident.

Finding his Passion

"At the age of sixteen, I heard a Sidney Bechet record where he played a Duke Ellington piece, and it was like a divine sign," Steve recalled. "I felt a calling. I saved up money and bought a soprano saxophone, knowing very little about the instrument. That's how I started."

Collaborations and Musical Evolution

Steve Lacy began his musical career in Dick Sutton's sextet called Dixieland. He participated in recording the albums "Dixieland Goes Modern" and "Progressive Dixieland." After a few years with Sutton, Lacy met pianist Cecil Taylor. "He was my father, my mentor," Stephen expressed his admiration for Taylor. "He helped me discover Thelonious Monk and Merce Cunningham."

The Birth of the Name Lacy

In the early 1950s, after one of his performances, famous jazzman Rex Stewart suggested that Stephen change his name to Lacy since Lackritz did not sound particularly jazz-like. Trusting Stewart's judgment, Stephen adopted the pseudonym and began performing as Steve Lacy. In 1957, he performed with Taylor's quartet at the Newport Jazz Festival, a significant event that altered his musical career.

Exploring Avant-Garde Jazz

Departing from traditional classical jazz, Lacy delved into a more avant-garde direction that allowed him the freedom to fully express himself on the saxophone. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Lacy collaborated with Gil Evans. In 1957, he released the album "Soprano Sax," recorded with Winton Kelly, Buell Neidlinger, and Dennis Charles.

European Success

In the mid-1960s, the American audience grew weary of avant-garde jazz, including Steve Lacy's style. In 1965, he moved to Europe, where jazz was more appreciated, and there were greater opportunities to play avant-garde jazz. Lacy first visited Copenhagen, performing with Kenny Drew and Don Cherry. He then traveled to Rome, Paris, London, and Amsterdam.

Life in Paris

In Rome, Lacy met trumpeter Enrico Rava, who invited him to join an international quartet featuring Johnny Diani and Louis Moholo. Together, they embarked on a tour in Argentina. Upon returning to Europe, Lacy settled in Paris. In the French capital, he met not only famous individuals but also his future wife, Irene Aebi, a Swiss vocalist. In Paris, Lacy worked extensively, formed a sextet that lasted until the mid-1980s, participated in various festivals, and collaborated with his old friend Gil Evans, who also resided in Europe.

Final Years and Legacy

In 2002, Steve Lacy returned to the United States. He taught at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. One of his last performances was at a peace rally in Boston in March 2003, shortly before the US invasion of Iraq. In August 2003, Lacy was diagnosed with cancer, yet he continued to teach and perform until his death in June 2004.