Description

Steve Lacy THE LEGENDARY PIONEER OF MODERN SOPRANO SAX - EARLY YEARS 1954-1956 (2 CD SET) Personnel: Steve Lacy (ss,cl), Dick Sutton (tp), Rai Anderson, John Welch (tb), Don Sitterlex, Frank Caputo (bars), Mark Trail (b), Bill DeHay (d) // Don Stratton (tp), Tom Stewart (th), Herbie Mann (fl, ts), Joe Puma (g), Dave McKenna (p), Whitey Mitchell (b) Reference: FSRCD 364_2 This 2-CD set charts the exciting early years of Steve Lacy, playing progressive Dixieland and swinging mainstream jazz on a soprano saxophone with extraordinary freshness, vigor and personal style, when he exploded onto the mid-50's jazz scene. To hear Steve play the multi-toned modern figures and extended line on an instrument usually associated with Sydney Bechet is always a stimulating experience. Of his extraordinary approach to the instrument, Lacy said: "As Charlie Parker increased the technical and expressive possibilities of the alto, Milt Jackson, the vibraphone, Kenny Clarke, the drums and Jimmy Blanton, the bass, one of my personal aims is to do the same for the soprano." On hearing these sessions, we think you'll agree that he managed to do just that. During the preparation of this production Steve Lacy sadly passed away in Boston on Friday, June 4, 2004. He maintained a vigorous teaching and performing schedule right up until his last month. He continued to produce works of startling originality, and was considered one of jazz's most prolific recording artists. Fifty years after he made his first recordings, it is obvious now that Steve Lacy took that challenging instrument and made it his own. He'll be missed. Tracklisting: CD1: 01. Avalon 02. Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise 03. I'm Coming Virginia 04. I Would Do Anything for You 05. Liza 06. How About You 07. Youre Lucky to Me 08. Peg O My Heart 09. As Long As I Live 10. My Old Flame 11. A Foggy Day 12. Lets Get Away from It All 13. I bid 14. Love Me or Leave Me 15. Footnote 16. Sunday CD 2: 01. Gee, Baby, Aint I Good To You 02. My Heart Is a Hobo 03. Out of Nowhere 04. Rosetta 05. Fidgety Feet 06. Potatoes 07. Lets Get Lost 08. These Are the Things I Love 09. Spain 10. Some of These Days 11. Young Lesley 12. It Could Happen To You 13. Lover Man 14. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart 15. You Stepped Out of a Dream 16. Once In a While 17. Strike Up the Band 18. Over the Rainbow 19. Perdido 20. Why Don¹t You Take Up the Piccolo? 21. Give Me the Simple Life 22. Indian Blanket Personnel: CD 1: tracks #1-8: Steve Lacy (ss, cl on 5, 8, 9, 12 & 14), Dick Sutton (tp), Rai Anderson (tb), Don Sitterlex (bs), Mark Trail (b), Bill DeHay (d). Recorded New York City , August 8, 1954 tracks #9-16: John Welch replaces Anderson (tb), Frank Caputo replaces Sitterlex (bs). Recorded New York , November 24, 1954 CD 2: tracks #1-6: Steve Lacy (ss), Tom Stewart (th), Dave McKenna (p), Whitey Mitchell (b), Al Levitt (d). Recorded New York City , February 1956 tracks #7-10: Steve Lacy (ss), Tom Stewart (th), Herbie Mann (fl,ts), Joe Puma (g), Whitey Mitchell (b), Bill Bradley or Al Levitt (#7) (d). Recorded New York City , February 1956 tracks #11-15: Steve Lacy (ss), Don Stratton (tp), Tom Stewart (th), Joe Puma (g), Whitey Mitchell (b), Gus Johnson (d). Neal Hefti arranger. Recorded New York City , April 13, 1956 tracks #16-20: Same but Osie Johnson (d) replaces Gus Johnson. Recorded New York City , April 23, 1956 tracks #21-22: Steve Lacy (ss), Tom Stewart (th), Herbie Mann (fl,ts), Joe Puma (g), Whitey Mitchell (b), Herb Wasserman (d). Recorded New York City , June 13, 1956 "There have been some last-minute changes in this production in order to reflect the unexpected death of Steve Lacy, shortly before the completion of the text and cover art. With this in mind, we offer these CDs as a timely homage to one of modern jazz's true pioneers." -Note of the producer Jordi Pujol