I wanted to be a pianist but it just wasn't my thing. I guess I wanted to stand up rather than sit down.

Quote by Steve Lacy

Topics: Steve Lacy Quotes

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....

If you listen to Louis Armstrong from 1929, you will never hear anything better than...

If you listen to Louis Armstrong from 1929, you will never hear anything better than...

I think it is in collaboration that the nature of art is revealed.

I think it is in collaboration that the nature of art is revealed.

Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can...

Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can...

Some people really want to play Mozart and be just performers. I was more interested...

Some people really want to play Mozart and be just performers. I was more interested...

You can work on the saxophone alone, but ultimately you must perform with others.

You can work on the saxophone alone, but ultimately you must perform with others.

Before the work comes to you, you have to invent work.

Before the work comes to you, you have to invent work.

It starts with a single sound. If there's something in that sound, then it's worth...

It starts with a single sound. If there's something in that sound, then it's worth...

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 been working on the soprano saxophone for 40 years, and the possibilities are astounding....

I've been working on the soprano saxophone for 40 years, and the possibilities are astounding....

It's very important to go through periods where you sound just rotten and you know...

It's very important to go through periods where you sound just rotten and you know...

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....

The potential for the saxophone is unlimited.

The potential for the saxophone is unlimited.

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 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...

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,...

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.

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,...

Jazz is people's music, a collectivity.

Jazz is people's music, a collectivity.

We played for peanuts. But we did what we wanted to do, we heard what...

We played for peanuts. But we did what we wanted to do, we heard what...