When I found the music of Monk I finally found music that fit that horn. Every one of his tunes fit it perfectly.

Quote by Steve Lacy

Topics: Steve Lacy Quotes

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 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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

The potential for the saxophone is unlimited.

The potential for the saxophone is unlimited.

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.

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.

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,...

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.

Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.

Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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....

I heard Sidney Bechet play a Duke Ellington piece and fell in love with the...

I heard Sidney Bechet play a Duke Ellington piece and fell in love with the...

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.