| Hommage to Steve Lacy |
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Saxophone master Evan Parker in an obituary of his colleague and friend, Steve Lacy
“Steve Lacy started in my life as a hero, the at Newport record with CT (Cecil Taylor), the records with Gil Evans and then the early records for Prestige under his own name, especially Evidence (1961) were essential listening for anyone with an idea to play the soprano. I heard the School Days band with Roswell at the Phase Two coffee bar in the West Village and still remember Steve’s announcement after the first set to remind the audience that “the band is pleased to play requests – we’ll play any tune by Thelonious Monk.” I requested “Four in One” and it was duly played (beautifully). Next I came to hear of Steve having passed through London on his way to Rome when he first came to Europe to live. He came to the Little Theatre Club and heard AMM, maybe played with Johnny Dyani and Louis Moholo. Quite soon after that came the South American adventure and the Forest and the Zoo (1966) was the document. Still a hero but a little closer. Gradually we started to play at the same festivals, FMP in Berlin organised the first one I think. In 1974 Steve asked me to play on the concert in London that was issued on record as Saxophone Special, then we were in Globe Unity for a long tour together, later another tour with Company and a Kenny Wheeler larger group and in between every so often a duo concert. Steve had magically become a highly esteemed colleague and mentor. I studied his materials and still do. In the course of more than 30 years my hero, Steve became a friend. Life does not have much greater rewards.” Evan Parker |
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