Gavin Walker
Nov 7, 2009, 12:44 AM
Tonight's Feature is the debut album of two important but rather elusive figures in the early so-called 'avant-guard' or 'new thing' movement in Jazz in the early 1960's. The album is lead by flutist Prince Lasha and features his musical partner, alto saxophonist Sonny Simmons and is called "The Cry!" They are backed by on most tracks by bassists Gary Peacock and Mark Proctor and by Gene Stone on drums. One track has only one bass (Peacock) and two tracks have Simmons, Peacock and Stone. The album reflects a strong Ornette Coleman influence as Lasha and Coleman were both of the same generation and went to school and learned music together. The date was recorded for Contemporary Records and shows the open-mindedness of that label's owner Lester Koenig. It was done in November of 1962. Here are a few notes on the two featured horn players.
Prince Lasha (pronounced "Lashay") was born William Lawsha in Fort Worth, Texas on September 10,1929 and passed away in Oakland, California a few months ago. Lasha played various clarinets including the A clarinet and the alto clarinet and flute, alto and baritone saxophones. He had a long career in music. Lasha and Ornette Coleman were very close friends and Coleman's influence on Lasha's tunes is very apparent. Huey "Sonny" Simmons was born in Sicily Island, Louisiana but was raised from childhood in Oakland. Sonny played the English horn (an mellower oboe-like instrument) then took up the alto saxophone. He listened to Bird and studied his records but from the start felt "there were other ways to express music". Lasha and Simmons met in the early 1950's in Oakland and formed a musical partnership which lasted off and on until the early 1980's. They struggled to get their music played and heard as it was different and too edgy for the club owners and Jazz promoters in those days. By 1962 they had a great repertoire of original compositions (most of them co-composed) and gained some exposure in some clubs. By late 1962, after a series of gigs they recorded "The Cry!"
Later, they went to New York in 1963 and were embraced by John Coltrane and they sat in with his band many times. Unfortunately, no recordings exist of these collaborations but they did record with Eric Dolphy, Herbie Hancock and were featured on a fine album under the leadership of bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones that included McCoy Tyner and baritone saxophonist Charles Davis. On that album, done for Impulse Records, Lasha and Simmons' tunes are heard and Lasha's flute and alto clarinet are heard along with Simmons' alto and English horn. The album is called "Illumination". The two reunited over the years and also embarked on their separate careers. I had the pleasure of sharing the stage in the early 70's in Bellingham with Prince Lasha....both of us played alto saxophone in a concert with the late bass clarinetist/flutist Walter Zuber Armstrong. Lasha, although he was in and out of music was always spoken of with great respect due to his associations and his deep musical knowledge. He died just a few months ago in Oakland. Sonny Simmons continues to play throughout the world and if you look hard enough, you may find some of his recordings. For many years, he played on the streets of San Francisco and that experience made him all the stronger in his commitment to music and the alto saxophone. He is to this day one of the most intense and powerful players on that horn and is still alive and active. One very fine double album, recorded for Contemporary in November of 1970 is very representative of his work. It's called "Burning Spirits" and he's heard on tenor and alto saxophones and English horn and he uses his birth name, Huey Simmons.
So tonight's Jazz Feature brings us back to the first documentation of the Prince Lasha/Sonny Simmons partnership and this fine innovative recording aptly called "The Cry!". It is indeed a minor classic.
The Feature will be heard as usual, shortly after 11pm but please feel free to check The Jazz Show out right at the starting time, 9pm.....see you then..................
Prince Lasha (pronounced "Lashay") was born William Lawsha in Fort Worth, Texas on September 10,1929 and passed away in Oakland, California a few months ago. Lasha played various clarinets including the A clarinet and the alto clarinet and flute, alto and baritone saxophones. He had a long career in music. Lasha and Ornette Coleman were very close friends and Coleman's influence on Lasha's tunes is very apparent. Huey "Sonny" Simmons was born in Sicily Island, Louisiana but was raised from childhood in Oakland. Sonny played the English horn (an mellower oboe-like instrument) then took up the alto saxophone. He listened to Bird and studied his records but from the start felt "there were other ways to express music". Lasha and Simmons met in the early 1950's in Oakland and formed a musical partnership which lasted off and on until the early 1980's. They struggled to get their music played and heard as it was different and too edgy for the club owners and Jazz promoters in those days. By 1962 they had a great repertoire of original compositions (most of them co-composed) and gained some exposure in some clubs. By late 1962, after a series of gigs they recorded "The Cry!"
Later, they went to New York in 1963 and were embraced by John Coltrane and they sat in with his band many times. Unfortunately, no recordings exist of these collaborations but they did record with Eric Dolphy, Herbie Hancock and were featured on a fine album under the leadership of bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones that included McCoy Tyner and baritone saxophonist Charles Davis. On that album, done for Impulse Records, Lasha and Simmons' tunes are heard and Lasha's flute and alto clarinet are heard along with Simmons' alto and English horn. The album is called "Illumination". The two reunited over the years and also embarked on their separate careers. I had the pleasure of sharing the stage in the early 70's in Bellingham with Prince Lasha....both of us played alto saxophone in a concert with the late bass clarinetist/flutist Walter Zuber Armstrong. Lasha, although he was in and out of music was always spoken of with great respect due to his associations and his deep musical knowledge. He died just a few months ago in Oakland. Sonny Simmons continues to play throughout the world and if you look hard enough, you may find some of his recordings. For many years, he played on the streets of San Francisco and that experience made him all the stronger in his commitment to music and the alto saxophone. He is to this day one of the most intense and powerful players on that horn and is still alive and active. One very fine double album, recorded for Contemporary in November of 1970 is very representative of his work. It's called "Burning Spirits" and he's heard on tenor and alto saxophones and English horn and he uses his birth name, Huey Simmons.
So tonight's Jazz Feature brings us back to the first documentation of the Prince Lasha/Sonny Simmons partnership and this fine innovative recording aptly called "The Cry!". It is indeed a minor classic.
The Feature will be heard as usual, shortly after 11pm but please feel free to check The Jazz Show out right at the starting time, 9pm.....see you then..................