Niko Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 don't know where to find this officially, but the great prince lasha died on december 11 at the age of 79... don't know much of his works but his two contemporary albums with sonny simmons are some of my favorite records; recently i got the twofer with his enja albums and love it as well a biography/discography is on the sonny simmons homepage http://www.sonnysimmons.org/lasha.htm and here is a great interview by our own clifford... http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=19743 dustygroove has lasha's 1965 album scheduled for reissue next year, btw http://www.dustygroove.com/browse.php?labe...&format=all Prince Lasha Ensemble : Insight (CBS BPG62409) rec. 65.12.01 p. 1966 Nuttin' Out Jones - Out Of Nowhere - Body And Soul - Impressions Of Eric Dolphy - Everything Happens To Me - Just Friends. Prince Lasha : flute, alto sax. David Snell : harp. Chris Bateson : trumpet. John Mumford : trombone. Stan Tracey : piano. Jeff Clyne, Dave Willis, Rick Laird : drums. Joe Oliver : drums. Rec. in London, UK. a great, more recent photo on wikipedia, don't know how to put it here http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm...Wanda_Sabir.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Sad news indeed. Thanks for the links - will have to read the interview. That 1965 album looks... ahem, interesting? Lasha with harp and Stan Tracey's gang... who are the trumpet and trombone player, anyone knows them? Here's a nice photo with Ben Lindgren, 2001 (photo by Eleanor Lindgren - source) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Sad news indeed. Thanks for the links - will have to read the interview. That 1965 album looks... ahem, interesting? Lasha with harp and Stan Tracey's gang... who are the trumpet and trombone player, anyone knows them? when you read the interview (like i just did) you'll find it has an extensive section on that album, for instance "Chris Bateson has a round, full trumpet tone that reminds me of Idrees Sulieman, who I used to play with in New York. And John Mumford played wonderfully relaxed trombone—his conception is very individual." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalupa Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 R.I.P. and thanks for the music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 There was an interesting interview with Prince Lasha in Cadence - about 3 years ago, I believe. Thanks, Mr. Lasha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 This is very sad news. I've always been a big admire of his two Enja albums. Will have to play them later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyril Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Niko, thanks for posting this. Prince Lasha R. I. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Hate to hear this. He was the possessor of a truly unique voice and his presence will be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillF Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 I don't normally approve of royal funerals, but I'll make an exception for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyJazz Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Three somewhat rare LPs (I would guess) that I have were released on the Birdseye label and are titled "Prince Lawsha (note the spelling): FIREBIRDS - LIVE AT BERKELEY JAZZ FESTIVAL", Vols. 1, 2, & 3. Vol. 1's personnel includes Hadley Caliman, Bobby Hutcherson, Buster Williams and Charles Moffett. Vol. 2 has Hubert Eaves, Ron Carter, Roy McCurdy and Kenneth Nash, recorded May '74. Vol. 3 includes Sonny Simmons, Hutcherson, Buster Williams & Moffett. Dates for Vol. 1 & 3 are not stated, but probaly also occurred in the early '70s. Some really great moments on a number of extended tracks. Have any of these been released on CD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 OH NO. I hadn't talked to him in about a year and was meaning to call him for a belated birthday wish. He was a friend and we had many great conversations about music, life and spirituality. He would even call up my then-girlfriend (this was about 2005) and wish her well and tell her to keep supporting my writing. What a dear, dear man and a great loss. I'll miss you, Peasant Prince - from "Allen's Alley." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Just in case, here's the short note from Denis Gonzalez that spread the news on Sunday - it goes back to John Handy spreading the news: John Handy, Bay Area saxophonist has announced that the legendary flutist/saxophonist Prince Lasha passed away in Oakland, CA (Dec.11). Many people will remember his own recordings (especially with Sonny Simmons) and his associations on records with Eric Dolphy, Elvin Jones, Dennis Gonzalez, and many others and in later years with Odean Pope. Lasha was born William Lawsha in Forth Worth, Texas on Sept. 10, 1929. Lasha (pronounced La-shay) went to school and was a boyhood friend of Ornette Coleman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medjuck Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 (edited) I have a vague memory of seeing him perform with a violinist in the early '60s. (Many of my memories from the '60s are vague.) And it's interesting that John Handy made the announcement of his death, because I think Handy was at that gig too. Edited December 15, 2008 by medjuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 http://www.sonnysimmons.org/lasha.htm There's the 1973 Michael White album "Land of Spirit and Light" (Impulse AS-9241) - White of course was a member of Handy's group some years before, the succesful one that made that Monterey live album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Three somewhat rare LPs (I would guess) that I have were released on the Birdseye label and are titled "Prince Lawsha (note the spelling): FIREBIRDS - LIVE AT BERKELEY JAZZ FESTIVAL", Vols. 1, 2, & 3. Vol. 1's personnel includes Hadley Caliman, Bobby Hutcherson, Buster Williams and Charles Moffett. Vol. 2 has Hubert Eaves, Ron Carter, Roy McCurdy and Kenneth Nash, recorded May '74. Vol. 3 includes Sonny Simmons, Hutcherson, Buster Williams & Moffett. Dates for Vol. 1 & 3 are not stated, but probaly also occurred in the early '70s. Some really great moments on a number of extended tracks. Have any of these been released on CD? the one with eaves is identical to one of the enja albums (search for tomorrow) and is out on a twofer cd with inside story... no cd reissues of the others afaik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 (edited) Oh Damn - yet more really sad news. Always really enjoyed his work, both the Prince Lasha only albums and the ones with Sonny Simmons. I was hoping we'd hear a bit more about his sojourn in UK via Clifford but I guess it was not meant to be. Tonight therefore I'll dig out 'Insight' on UK CBS, the Vol 2 of his 'Firebirds Live' LPs for Birdseye and also the 'Firebirds' LP for Contemporary. What a shame - RIP Prince Lasha. Edited December 15, 2008 by sidewinder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon Dickey Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Sad news! I'll dig out some lps for a little musical tribute tonight! Good night sweet Prince.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 I was hoping we'd hear a bit more about his sojourn in UK via Clifford but I guess it was not meant to be. Yeah, all I got was what was in the interview at AAJ. I got the feeling that he really liked it over in the UK and that Insight was one of his favorite records. Of course, one of mine too - thankfully it'll be reissued, if I am not mistaken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill B Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Three somewhat rare LPs (I would guess) that I have were released on the Birdseye label and are titled "Prince Lawsha (note the spelling): FIREBIRDS - LIVE AT BERKELEY JAZZ FESTIVAL", Vols. 1, 2, & 3. Vol. 1's personnel includes Hadley Caliman, Bobby Hutcherson, Buster Williams and Charles Moffett. Vol. 2 has Hubert Eaves, Ron Carter, Roy McCurdy and Kenneth Nash, recorded May '74. Vol. 3 includes Sonny Simmons, Hutcherson, Buster Williams & Moffett. Dates for Vol. 1 & 3 are not stated, but probaly also occurred in the early '70s. Some really great moments on a number of extended tracks. Have any of these been released on CD? Enja 9131-2 has 2 groups. Hancock,McBee and Lovelace from early 1965 ( 5) tracks and the Vol 2 group above (3) tracks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyhersom Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 The Elvin Jones/Jimmy Garrison Illumination! on Impulse has some fine Prince and Sonny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest youmustbe Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 I heard him with Sonny and Peacock and Moffett opposite Dizzy at Birdland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robviti Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 i regret never having seen lasha perform live, but i have enjoyed searching out and listening to his recordings over the past few years. right now, i'm listening to it is revealed, which also features sonny simmons, clifford jordan, don cherry, fred lyman, bill wood, orwille harrisson, and charles moffett. very moving, intense, and spiritual music. rest in peace, william lawsha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 right now, i'm listening to it is revealed, which also features sonny simmons, clifford jordan, don cherry, fred lyman, bill wood, orwille harrisson, and charles moffett. very moving, intense, and spiritual music. Is that one on CD? I remember the existence of a bootleg LP but never saw a copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewHill Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 Been out of town for about a week and this is the first thread I opened...totally bad news. RIP Prince Lasha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frisco Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 (edited) right now, i'm listening to it is revealed, which also features sonny simmons, clifford jordan, don cherry, fred lyman, bill wood, orwille harrisson, and charles moffett. very moving, intense, and spiritual music. Is that one on CD? I remember the existence of a bootleg LP but never saw a copy. I've never seen this one. Would certainly love to hear it. I'll be featuring some of Prince Lasha's music tonight (Tuesday) on "Spirits Rejoice" radio, WHFR-FM Dearborn/Detroit 6-10pm est http://whfr.fm Edited December 16, 2008 by Frisco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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