If you're trying to invent something new, you're going to reach a lot of discouraging points, and most people give up.

Quote by Steve Lacy

Topics: Steve Lacy Quotes

Risk is at the heart of jazz. Every note we play is a risk.

Risk is at the heart of jazz. Every note we play is a risk.

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...

If you have music you want to play that no one asks you to play,...

If you have music you want to play that no one asks you to play,...

People don't want to suffer. They want to sound good immediately, and this is one...

People don't want to suffer. They want to sound good immediately, and this is one...

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.

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...

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...

Nobody was playing the soprano saxophone and certainly nobody was trying to do anything with...

Nobody was playing the soprano saxophone and certainly nobody was trying to do anything with...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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.

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

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

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.

They call me before they go into production, when they have a prototype, and they...

They call me before they go into production, when they have a prototype, and they...

Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.

Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.

You have to sound sad first of all, then maybe later you can sound good.

You have to sound sad first of all, then maybe later you can sound good.

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 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.