Byard Lancaster (1942-2012)

[clifford_thornton]

According to Nate Chinen on twitter, the fascinating and very original reedman Byard Lancaster has passed. He had just turned 70.

More news when it becomes available. To me he'll always be one of the "young ones" of the post-Coltrane avant-garde, even though he's my dad's age.

[Chalupa]

He had been sick for awhile. I will miss him. I'm fortunate that I got to see him perform a lot here in Philly. RIP, Byard.

[paul secor]

Heard him play live once as part of a duo with David Eyges. A good night.

Thanks for your music, Mr. Lancaster.

[jeffcrom]

A unique improviser and a favorite of mine. RIP.

[JSngry]

Seemed to be a consistently interesting player. Hate to see him go.

[king ubu]

r.i.p. - will give this one a spin to commemorate:

[JohnS]

Sadly Byard was someone who was on the periphery of my listening, nevertheless very sorry to hear the news.

[brownie]

Sad to catch that type of news!

Saw and heard him several times, last time about 4 years ago when he appeared with Sonny Simmons (and Sonny Murray) at L'Atelier Tampon in Paris. Full of fire and ideas!

Obituary in Philly's local music blog.

Edited August 24, 2012 by brownie

[John L]

RIP - a fine musician who I always enjoy hearing.

[Chalupa]

Obituary from the Philly Inquirer

[king ubu]

obit:

http://www.philly.com/philly/obituaries/20120825_Byard_Lancaster__70__famed_Phila__jazz_musician.html

[Chuck Nessa]

He as a member of the best McCoy Tyner band I ever heard. It was a quartet with Herbie Lewis and Eric Gravatt. They played in a bar in Madison while I lived there in the early '70s. Cecil Taylor was standing by the stage and was jumping up and down. Very powerful performance.

[king ubu]

That sounds quite amazing, Chuck! Wish I had such memories!

[johnlitweiler]

He was living here in Chicago a few years ago, playing for tips at the corner of Michigan and Adams, across the street from the Art Institute. Seemed healthy, sounded energetic. Strangely enough, he only played on the street, not in concerts or clubs. The rumor in those days was that he moved here for love of a local lady.

One of the good guys.

[Chuck Nessa]

Be sure to watch The Video

[brownie]

Obituary in The New York Times.

[Clunky]

I've just received a copy of Byard's Documentation/The End of the Decade- on CD. CD tray liner and booklet look very crude , the CD has printed paper label ( image of BL). Anyone else have this CD , is it legit. ??? It has a very bootleg like quality to it , I can't tell is the disc is a CDR , it's slightly greener in colour.

[colinmce]

Probably more likely a reprint from the artist or one of his associates. This is a rather common practice regarding OOP/small press titles. I know Gerry Hemingway and Dennis Gonzalez do this, and Tim Berne has reissued a couple of Julius Hemphill records this way.

[AllenLowe]

he was one of the guys that I always kept in the back of my head as "should contact and record with." I love his playing; it has a directness and honesty which I find extremely rare.

[clifford_thornton]

Re-upping this thread as it seemed like as good a place as any to ask:

Do any of you have a scan of the Byard Lancaster interview in Cadence from March 1980? Would like to read it and I don't have a copy. This is for a research project and you'll certainly be thanked!

[felser]

20 hours ago, clifford_thornton said:

Re-upping this thread as it seemed like as good a place as any to ask:

Do any of you have a scan of the Byard Lancaster interview in Cadence from March 1980? Would like to read it and I don't have a copy. This is for a research project and you'll certainly be thanked!

I have it for you.  PM sent.