One clarification: Where the transcription refers to “Melvin Lassiter“– it’s actually the noted trumpeter Melvin Lastie, who wound up a hitmaking session player in LA before dying of cancer at a too-young age. It’s notable that Ornette spent a formative year living with the Lastie family. Like the Marsalises, it was a musically fertile household; Ornette played an alto borrowed from Melvin’s younger brother David, who went on to make his mark as an R&B sax star.
Thank you for catching that Tim. I have added that info to the essay, with thanks to you. Please note that Ornette doesn't say that he lived with the family for the entire time he was in New Orleans. Litweiler's book, which is based on more conversations with Ornette and spells the Lastie name correctly, says that Ornette stayed with them the first six months: "...near the end of 1949, Ornette moved in with the Lastie family. Melvin’s father, Frank Lastie, was a drummer in church, and David Lastie, Melvin’s younger brother, played alto saxophone... He stayed with them six months..." And you're absolutely right about the influence of the Lastie family. THANK YOU TIM
Thank you dear Lewis for this great Ornette interview.
One clarification: Where the transcription refers to “Melvin Lassiter“– it’s actually the noted trumpeter Melvin Lastie, who wound up a hitmaking session player in LA before dying of cancer at a too-young age. It’s notable that Ornette spent a formative year living with the Lastie family. Like the Marsalises, it was a musically fertile household; Ornette played an alto borrowed from Melvin’s younger brother David, who went on to make his mark as an R&B sax star.
Thank you for catching that Tim. I have added that info to the essay, with thanks to you. Please note that Ornette doesn't say that he lived with the family for the entire time he was in New Orleans. Litweiler's book, which is based on more conversations with Ornette and spells the Lastie name correctly, says that Ornette stayed with them the first six months: "...near the end of 1949, Ornette moved in with the Lastie family. Melvin’s father, Frank Lastie, was a drummer in church, and David Lastie, Melvin’s younger brother, played alto saxophone... He stayed with them six months..." And you're absolutely right about the influence of the Lastie family. THANK YOU TIM
Brilliant interview. How Litweiler coaxes so much detailed information from Ornette Coleman.