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2006-08-04
7:30PM
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"Konitz is a master of the art of jazz improvisation...a musician of unshakable integrity who has continued to develop and refine his craft"
- Downbeat Magazine
"Konitz is one of the most consistently brilliant, adventurous and original improvisers in the jazz traditiona genius as rare as Bird himself."
- John Zorn
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FEATURING:
Lee Konitz - saxophone
John Lockwood - bass
Joe Hunt - drums |
After appearing on Miles Davisī Birth of the Cool sessions, LEE KONITZ (b. 10/13/27, Chicago, IL) became known as a chief exponent of the cool style; at a time when most alto saxophonists were under the overwhelming influence of Charlie Parker, he found his own voice and became one of the true jazz improvisers. Early on, Konitz gained some recognition for his solos with Claude Thornhillīs Orchestra (ī47), but it was during his studies with Lennie Tristano that he developed his singular conception and approach to improvising; in 1949 he recorded the first two free improvisations with the pianistīs sextet, a group that featured Warne marsh, one of Konitzīs longstanding collaborators. After a stint with Stand Kentonīs Orchestra (ī52-ī54), Konitz became a leader primarily. For the past forty years, Konitz has recorded everything from the coolest bop to the most abstract free improvisations; his voice remains authentic and an influence on many musicians to follow. In 1992 Konitz won the prestigious Danish Jazzpar Prize, a fitting tribute to a career of thoughtful and innovative work.
Experimentalist, his style never ceased to evolve: the sonority of the cool period progressively took grain, enriching with emotions and sensuality sensibility initially turned towards abstract. Man of encounters, he maintained close relation with his instrument and his renovated conception of standards manifested with astonishing quality in his improvisations.
Lee Konitz has been applying his considerable energy and intellect in highly personal and specialized musical cause for almost half this 20th century. Lee, as he nears the mature milestone of 79, shows no sign of running out of steam, enthusiasm or ideas. His music and self-belief have proved to be as durable as in the cases of Coleman Hawkins or Duke Ellington. Lee has never lost his inquisitiveness or propensity to grow artistically during a recording career that spans six decades.
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