Steve Lacy Music Quotations

Saxophone is one thing, and music is another.

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

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

When I first started playing music in 1955, there was just a small body of people that knew it. It was a very esoteric type of thing.

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

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

Jazz is like wine. When it is new it's only for the experts, but when it gets older everybody wants it.

In composition you have all the time you want to decide what to say in 15 seconds, in improvisation you have 15 seconds.