Sam Lazar

Sam Lazar was a pianist and Hammond organist originally from St. Louis, Missouri. His first LP on Argo Records approximates his birth year as 1933. Initially a pianist, Lazar played in Ernie Wilkins group before Wilkins left St. Louis to join Count Basie. This was followed by a stint in George Hudson's big bandm which also included Clark Terry and Jimmy Forrest at various times. After a tour with alto saxophonist Tab Smith, Lazar was in the army from 1951-1953. Upon discharge, he began studying medical technology.

In 1958, Lazar saw the Jimmy Smith trio at the Peacock Alley club in St. Louis and was inspired to play the Hammond organ and return to music. His St. Louis-based organ combo later included Grant Green, Bob Graff, and Chauncey Williams, among others. Not only did the group play a variety of gigs from strip clubs to jazz clubs, but they were reportedly one of the first interracial combos in the area.

After a single on Cawthron Records, Lazar went on to record several albums in the 1960s for the Chicago-based Argo Records. His first, "Space Flight", was recorded in 1960 and added bassist Willie Dixon to his regular working combo featuring Williams and fellow St. Louis musician Grant Green. [cite paper
author =Bob Porter
title =Oleo
publisher =Blue Note Records
date =1980 (original liner notes from Blue Note LP "Oleo" by Grant Green)] [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =Sam Lazar : Space Flight - Listen, Review and Buy at ARTISTdirect
work =
publisher =
date =2007-05-21
url =http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,118629,00.html
format =
doi =
accessdate =2007-05-27 ]

elected discography

*" Space Flight" (1960)
*" Playback" (1962)
*" Soul Merchant" (1962)

References