StLJN Saturday at the Movies: Two from Oliver Lake

This week's video post offers two views of one of the great saxophonists to come out of St. Louis, Oliver Lake. Lake is known as a key member of the original Black Artists Group and one of the founders of the World Saxophone Quartet, but he's also been involved in countless other musical projects and partnerships over the years. And like many who came up through the 1960s avant garde and 1970s loft jazz scenes, Lake also has extensive experience playing solo and in non-traditional instrumental configurations.

That's what's going on here as today's first clip shows Lake in a 1996 solo performance in Seattle, kicking things off with a short chant before turning to his alto. The second clip, undated though apparently more recent, combines Lake's wood flute and curved soprano with some singing and percussion from Native American vocalist and musician Mary Redhouse.