Steve Lacy - soprano sax & reflections

The initial impact of hearing modern blowing on a soprano sax was somewhat like that of discovering an unfamiliar instrument in contemporary jazz. With Steve Lacy, the Bechet vibrato was smoothed to a sound more in keeping with the new trends in jazz. It was his own conception. He stood alone as a developing voice on a somewhat limited instrument.

On these early quartet recordings, he is backed by two first-rate rhythm sections, featuring the great Wynton Kelly on Soprano Sax, and the succinct, punching Mal Waldron on Reflections, an enthusiastic tribute to Thelonious Monks compositions. Lacy, who was fascinated by the pianist's music, said, Monks harmony comes from the melody. If you just play from the harmony, you're missing something. Monk has got his own poetry and youve got to get the fragrance of it. These sides showed that, besides Monk, he had also been listening to Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis.