Byard Lancaster

A lesser-known avant-gardist who based a lot of his profession in Philadelphia, Byard Lancaster was a sophisticated improviser who was simply not shy showing the impact of blues and spirit in his solos. He used Sunny Murray beginning in 1965 and caused Costs Dixon (1966-1967), Sunlight Ra (on / off between 1968-1971), and McCoy Tyner (1971-1977). Lancaster performed for a little bit with Memphis Slim in Paris, but mainly performed jazz locally. Most of his very own recordings had been for obscure brands (including Vortex, Dogtown, Hand, Philly Jazz, and Bellows), but his 1966 ESP time with Sunny Murray was reissued digitally. Byard Lancaster passed away of cancers in August 2012 at age 70.