Byard Lancaster Feels Napster’s Pain.

The war over free music spread to the streets this week when saxophonist Byard Lancaster was arrested in Philadelphia for playing music on the street. Lancaster has been ordered to appear in court on January 11th. He faces a possible sentence of up to 90 days in jail…without his saxophone.

Lancaster is a respected member of the music community in Philadelphia and has taught in schools and arts institutions including Berklee College and Harvard University. He also worked with Sun Ra and John Coltrane in the early days of the Philly avant-garde scene. On separate occasions Lancaster has played for both Bill Clinton and George Bush, as well as three Prime Ministers of Jamaica.

Lancaster hopes to have the support of his fans in the courtroom on January 11th. He feels it is important that the courtroom be packed with supporters in order to help convince the court he has done no wrong. Maybe he could get his buddy Bill Clinton (a fellow saxman) to help him out of this mess.

Originally Published January 4, 2001