We played for peanuts. But we did what we wanted to do, we heard what we wanted to hear, we performed what we wanted to perform, we learned what we wanted to learn.

Quote by Steve Lacy

Topics: Steve Lacy Quotes

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...

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,...

I was spoiled by Monk's music because it was so good, so complete.

I was spoiled by Monk's music because it was so good, so complete.

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....

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....

Register is very important. Music sounds best in a certain register.

Register is very important. Music sounds best in a certain register.

There is an awful lot of what I call recreational jazz going on, where people...

There is an awful lot of what I call recreational jazz going on, where people...

Jazz is people's music, a collectivity.

Jazz is people's music, a collectivity.

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

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

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...

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.

What I learned with Cecil Taylor was strategy and survival and how to resist temptations...

What I learned with Cecil Taylor was strategy and survival and how to resist temptations...

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.

Whoever has an original thing to say, it is sort of a threat to the...

Whoever has an original thing to say, it is sort of a threat to the...

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.

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...

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 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...

If you're trying to invent something new, you're going to reach a lot of discouraging...

If you're trying to invent something new, you're going to reach a lot of discouraging...

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

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