People don't want to suffer. They want to sound good immediately, and this is one of the biggest problems in the world.

Quote by Steve Lacy

Topics: Steve Lacy Quotes

The soprano turned out to sound to me like the right hand on the piano.

The soprano turned out to sound to me like the right hand on the piano.

Play difficult and interesting things. If you play boring things, you risk losing your appetite....

Play difficult and interesting things. If you play boring things, you risk losing your appetite....

When I heard Monk in person in 1955, he was playing with a quartet in...

When I heard Monk in person in 1955, he was playing with a quartet in...

Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.

Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.

I still love the whole history of jazz. The old things sound better than ever.

I still love the whole history of jazz. The old things sound better than ever.

When I came up, it was all about originality and collective research. There is an...

When I came up, it was all about originality and collective research. There is an...

I've always been extremely lucky in playing with great people who knew much more than...

I've always been extremely lucky in playing with great people who knew much more than...

The potential for the saxophone is unlimited.

The potential for the saxophone is unlimited.

I wanted to be a pianist but it just wasn't my thing. I guess I...

I wanted to be a pianist but it just wasn't my thing. I guess I...

Circumstances can be very important. Find the right people to work with.

Circumstances can be very important. Find the right people to work with.

You must have the music to justify an instrument's extensive use.

You must have the music to justify an instrument's extensive use.

I've performed solo for 20 years now, but I don't do much of it, because...

I've performed solo for 20 years now, but I don't do much of it, because...

I fell in love with jazz when I was 12 years old from listening to...

I fell in love with jazz when I was 12 years old from listening to...

Bamboo is not a weed, it's a flowering plant. Bamboo is a magnificent plant.

Bamboo is not a weed, it's a flowering plant. Bamboo is a magnificent plant.

I started in New Orleans music and played all through the history of jazz.

I started in New Orleans music and played all through the history of jazz.

When I first started playing music in 1955, there was just a small body of...

When I first started playing music in 1955, there was just a small body of...

Jazz is like wine. When it is new, it is only for the experts, but...

Jazz is like wine. When it is new, it is only for the experts, but...

To me, there is spirit in a reed. It's a living thing, a weed, really,...

To me, there is spirit in a reed. It's a living thing, a weed, really,...

When I found the music of Monk I finally found music that fit that horn....

When I found the music of Monk I finally found music that fit that horn....

The soprano has all those other instruments in it. It's got the soprano song voice,...

The soprano has all those other instruments in it. It's got the soprano song voice,...