Lee Konitz meets Antonio Zambrini Trio - Standardslee, Chapter 2

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:42
Size: 176,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:59) 1. Diane
(6:04) 2. Get out of Town
(8:35) 3. For All We Know
(9:57) 4. Don't Explain
(6:54) 5. Just in Time
(5:42) 6. For Heaven's Sake
(7:06) 7. A Ghost of a Chace
(7:43) 8. Sil-Lee
(5:37) 9. Check Lee
(6:43) 10. Diane (Alternate)
(7:16) 11. Darn that Dream (Take 1)

Jazz pianist and composer from Milan, Zambrini, has drawn the attention of critics and musicians, especially with his “songs,” published his several trios and quartet recordings, as well as reprised and played by various musicians in the jazz area.

Trumpeter and composer Ron Horton had Zambrini guest in his Cd “It’s a gadget world,” recorded in New York in 2006, including some of Zambrini’s songs. Pianist Stefano Bollani opens with a tune by Zambrini, his solo album produced by ECM, the famous label in Germany, issued in 2006.

Mr. Lee Konitz recorded a series of Zambrini’s tunes in a sequence of three CDs they realized together for the label “Philology” in 2008. English pianist John Law dedicated to Zambrini’s music his cd “The moment” in 2002. Zambrini was a guest in several broadcastings by National Radio and he was for 7 years partner of Cineteca Italiana, Milan, improvising live piano soundtracks of silent movies.

More recent projects are regarding young guitarist Filippo Cosentino, with an out coming cd along with Jesper Bodilsen and Andrea Marcelli, a new trio with bass player Paolino Dalla Porta and French drummer Manhu Roche, a cd entitled "Dois Lugares," with the great Samba composer and performer Moacyr Luz. Several concerts in the last two years with this "Dois Lugares " project, led by Italian vocalist Francesca Ajmar and with Moacyr Luz himself, who wrote most of the music for this project.

Also, about Brasil, a long collaboration with the choir director from Sao Paulo, Martinho L. Galati De Olivera, Kept Zambrini through several concerts, finally in Sao Paulo in 2014, playing with some great names of that scene's music like Teco Cardoso, Lea Frerie, and Fabiana Cozza.

Among others, Zambrini performed with Lee Konitz, Mark Murphy, William Parker, Tiziana Ghiglioni, Enrico Rava, Ron Horton, Nenna Frenlone, Hamid Drake, Claudio Fasoli, Tiziano Tononi, Ben Allison, Gabriele Mirabassi, Kyle Gregory, Rita Marcotulli, Javier Girotto, Eliot Zigmund, Jesper Bodilsen, Maria Pia De Vito, Pietro Tonolo, Manhu Roche, Paolino Dalla Porta, Andrea Marcelli, Fabrizio Bosso.
https://www.antoniozambrini.com/album

Personnel: Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz; Piano, Liner Notes – Antonio Zambrini; Double Bass – Ares Tavolazzi; Drums – Massimo Manz

Standardslee, Chapter 2

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Lee Konitz meets Antonio Zambrini Trio - Comencini

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:02
Size: 135,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:17) 1. Substitutions
(7:23) 2. Small Ballad
(5:44) 3. Bluesness
(3:00) 4. Giovedì
(5:12) 5. Minor Sequence
(7:06) 6. Arrivederci
(7:31) 7. Melampo
(4:56) 8. Antonia
(5:56) 9. Ritorno
(2:34) 10. Comencini intro
(4:17) 11. Bluesness (Duo Version)

Konitz is sometimes regarded as the preeminent cool jazz saxophonist, because he performed and recorded with Claude Thornhill, Lennie Tristano (both often cited as important cool jazz proponents of the mid 1940s), and with Miles Davis on his epochal Birth of the Cool, which gave the form its name.

Konitz has also been repeatedly noted as one of the few jazz saxophonists of the late 1940s and 1950s who did not seem imitative of the massively influential Charlie Parker. In the early 1950s, Konitz recorded and toured with Stan Kenton's orchestra.

In 1961, he recorded Motion with Elvin Jones on drums and Sonny Dallas on bass. This spontaneous session, widely regarded as a classic in the cool genre, consisted entirely of standards. The loose trio format aptly featured Konitz's unorthodox phrasing and chromaticism.

In 1967, Konitz recorded The Lee Konitz Duets, a series of duets with various musicians. The duo configurations were often unusual for the period (saxophone and trombone, two saxophones). The recordings drew on very nearly the entire history of jazz, from a Louis Armstrong dixieland number with valve trombonist Marshall Brown to two completely free duos: one with a Duke Ellington associate, violinist Ray Nance, and one with guitarist Jim Hall.

Konitz has been quite prolific, recording dozens of albums as a band leader. He has also recorded or performed with Dave Brubeck, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, Gerry Mulligan, Elvin Jones and others.
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/lee-konitz

Personnel: Lee Konitz - Alto Saxophone; Antonio Zambrini - Piano; Ares Tavolazzi - Double Bass (1-9); Massimo Manzi - Drums (1-9)

Comencini

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Buck Clayton - A Buck Clayton Jam Session

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1975
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 75:39
Size: 138,9 MB
Art: Front

(17:43)  1. Sidekick
(11:52)  2. Change For A Buck
(12:12)  3. The Duke We Knew
(15:11)  4. Glassboro Blues
( 5:10)  5. Glassboro Blues Rehearsal
(13:29)  6. The Duke We Knew Rehearsal

Jazz suffered a major loss when, in the late 1960s, Buck Clayton had to retire from playing due to problems with his lip. But instead of permanently retiring from jazz altogether, he continued to make his mark as an arranger, bandleader, and educator. Clayton doesn't play at all on A Buck Clayton Jam Session: 1975; instead, this blowing date finds him overseeing and directing a 12-piece band that includes Joe Newman and Money Johnson on trumpet, Vic Dickenson and George Masso on trombone, Buddy Tate, Buddy Johnson, and Sal Nistico on tenor sax, Lee Konitz and Earle Warren on alto sax, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Milt Hinton on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums. To be sure, that's a variety of musicians some have strong swing credentials, others were primarily hard boppers, and you even have a musician who came out of the Cool School (Konitz) and went on to explore post-bop. But they manage to find common ground on this swing-oriented jam, which concentrates on Clayton's own compositions and emphasizes blowing, blowing, and more blowing. Thankfully, the liner notes list the order of the solos. Originally a vinyl LP in the '70s and reissued on CD in 1995 (when Chiaroscuro added two previously unreleased bonus tracks), A Buck Clayton Jam Session is less than essential but is an enjoyable jam that die-hard swing fans will appreciate.~ Alex Henderson 

http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-buck-clayton-jam-session-1975-mw0000076132

Personnel: Buck Clayton (conductor, trumpet); Earle Warren, Lee Konitz (alto saxophone); Budd Johnson, Buddy Tate, Sal Nistico (tenor saxophone); Joe Newman, Money Johnson (trumpet); Vic Dickenson, George Masso (trombone); Tommy Flanagan (piano); Milt Hinton (bass); Mel Lewis (drums).

A Buck Clayton Jam Session 1975

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Lee Konitz - Yes, Yes Nonet

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1986
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:27
Size: 93,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:07) 1. Dearth Of A Nation
(6:15) 2. Languid
(8:06) 3. Footprints
(5:15) 4. Stardust
(6:35) 5. Primrose Path
(4:35) 6. Noche Triste
(3:31) 7. My Buddy

It was a tragedy that Lee Konitz's versatile nonet was not able to succeed commercially. Just like its leader, the group was able to stretch from swing standards, bop and cool jazz to freer improvisations and challenging originals. This SteepleChase release (featuring the nonet when it was comprised of such fine players as trumpeters Tom Harrell and John Eckert, trombonists Jimmy Knepper and Sam Burtis, baritonist Ronnie Cuber, pianist Harold Danko, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Billy Hart in addition to Konitz on alto and soprano) features the group at its best on such pieces as "Footprints," "Stardust," "My Buddy" and four songs by Jimmy Knepper. It's an excellent outing from a somewhat neglected group. By Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/yes-yes-nonet-mw0000651370

Personnel: Lee Konitz – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; John Eckert, Tom Harrell – trumpet, flugelhorn; Jimmy Knepper – trombone; Sam Burtis – bass trombone; Ronnie Cuber – baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone; Harold Danko – piano; Buster Williams – bass; Billy Hart – drums

Yes,Yes Nonet

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Lee Konitz - The Lee Konitz Nonet

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1977
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:33
Size: 142,0 MB
Art: Front

( 0:41)  1. Fanfare
(10:55)  2. Chi-Chi
( 5:04)  3. If You Could See Me Now
( 3:19)  4. Sometimes I'm Happy
( 5:26)  5. Giant Steps
( 4:46)  6. April/April Too
( 7:25)  7. Who You
( 5:00)  8. Stryker's Dues
( 3:42)  9. Fourth Dimension
( 4:43) 10. Struttin' with Some Barbecue
( 0:50) 11. Hymn Too
( 9:35) 12. Jazzspeak

The Lee Konitz Nonet never really prospered, but they recorded several excellent albums. With such top players as flügelhornist John Eckert, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, and baritonist Ronnie Cuber in the group, and colorful arrangements provided by Sy Johnson, this band's repertoire was as wide as one would expect from a Konitz band. Whether it be the Louis Armstrong-associated "Struttin' with Some Barbeque," a Lester Young-inspired "Sometimes I'm Happy," Charlie Parker's "Chi-Chi," "Giant Steps," or some newer originals, the results are frequently superb.
By Scott Yanow; https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-lee-konitz-nonet-mw0000597017

Personnel: Lee Konitz – alto saxophone, arranger; Burt Collins – trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet; John Eckert – flugelhorn; Jimmy Knepper – trombone; Sam Burtis – bass trombone, tuba; Ronnie Cuber – baritone saxophone; Ben Aronov – piano; Knobby Totah – bass; Kenny Washington – drums; Sy Johnson – arranger

The Lee Konitz Nonet

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Lee Konitz, Alan Broadbent - More Live-Lee

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:06
Size: 151,9 MB
Art: Front

(7:34) 1. Invitation
(6:21) 2. Body and Soul
(6:47) 3. Thingin'
(5:40) 4. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
(4:10) 5. Nothin'
(8:03) 6. I Can't Get Started
(6:53) 7. Lennie's
(7:18) 8. How Deep Is The Ocean?
(4:31) 9. You Go To My Head
(2:55) 10. Bending Broadly
(5:52) 11. Just Friends

Tristano disciples Lee Konitz and Alan Broadbent paired together back in 2000 at the Jazz Bakery for two nights of improvisational wizardry. Their first release, Live-Lee, was of such high quality that the remaining tracks have been assembled on the encore release. If anyone knows anything about these two souls, there is no such thing as a "leftover" performance; each song has here has the same merits and magic as the initial Live-Lee.

Broadbent and Konitz paint quite the picture as they cruise around and under the melody. Broadbent, with his spacious support, lays a gentle foundation for Konitz' airy tone to float over. Broadbent also knows when to swing and push, as demonstrated on the assertive and fiendishly arranged "Bending Broadly." Rhythm is always implied and well stated on the pieces like the supple "Thingin'" and "You Stepped Out of a Dream." Broadbent is even allowed to demonstrate his prowess and reception of the Bill Evans baton on the effusive "You Go to My Head."

The focus of More Live-Lee, however, is Konitz, who seems to shine in settings with minimal accompaniment. His treatment of "I Can't Get Started" is as definitive as Lester Young's and just as mournful, wistful and yearning. His dry tone is immediately identifiable and elicits emotional and visceral reactions like few musicians can. As a music teacher once said, "If you have a good tone, your audience will hang in with you wherever you take them." Konitz and Broadbent have added another path for us to follow.By AAJ Staff https://www.allaboutjazz.com/more-live-lee-lee-konitz-review-by-aaj-staff

Personnel: Lee Konitz- alto sax; Alan Broadbent- piano.

More Live-Lee

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Lee Konitz - You and Lee

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:37
Size: 77,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:50)  1. Ev'rything I've Got (Belongs to You)
(4:22)  2. You Don't Know What Love Is
(4:14)  3. You're Driving Me Crazy
(4:03)  4. I Didn't Know About You
(4:10)  5. You're Clear Out of This World
(3:42)  6. The More I See You
(4:10)  7. You Are Too Beautiful
(4:02)  8. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You

One of the lesser-known Lee Konitz albums, this LP (which has not been reissued yet on CD) features the altoist joined by six brass and a rhythm section for eight Jimmy Giuffre arrangements. The shouting brass contrasts well with Konitz's cool-toned solos and together they perform eight underplayed standards. Guitarist Jim Hall and pianist Bill Evans (who are on four songs apiece) are major assets behind Konitz on this pleasing set. ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel:   Lee Konitz – alto saxophone; Marky Markowitz – trumpet; Ernie Royal – trumpet;  Phil Sunkel – trumpet;  Eddie Bert – trombone; Billy Byers – trombone; Bob Brookmeyer – valve trombone;  Bill Evans – piano;  Jim Hall – guitar;  Sonny Dallas – bass;  Roy Haynes – drums

You and Lee

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Lee Konitz, Brad Mehldau & Charlie Haden - Alone Together

Styles: Saxophone, Piano Jazz, Bop
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:39
Size: 168,7 MB
Art: Front

(13:45) 1. Alone Together
(12:55) 2. The Song Is You
(10:59) 3. Cherokee
(11:32) 4. What Is This Thing Called Love ?
(12:49) 5. Round Midnight
(11:36) 6. You Stepped Out Of A Dream

Alone Together, Lee Konitz's first recording for Blue Note, is a special event. The saxophonist teamed up with legendary bassist Charlie Haden and young lion pianist Brad Mehldau, and the trio's interaction on this set of relaxed bop is astonishing. On paper, the music on Alone Together a collection of standards should just be straightahead cool bop, but all three musicians are restless and inventive, making even the simplest numbers on the disc vibrant, lively and adventurous. It's a wonderful record, one that makes a convincing argument that Konitz remains a vital force even as he reached his seventieth year.~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine https://www.allmusic.com/album/alone-together-mw0000596268

Personnel: Lee Konitz – alto sax; Brad Mehldau – piano; Charlie Haden – bass

Alone Together

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Lee Konitz Quartet - Ideal Scene

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 48:39
Size: 111.4 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Cool
Year: 1986/1993
Art: Front

[ 6:06] 1. Chick Came Around
[ 7:40] 2. Tidal Breeze
[10:17] 3. Silly Samba
[ 4:36] 4. Ezz-Thetic
[ 7:28] 5. If You Could See Me Now
[ 3:07] 6. Stare-Case
[ 9:22] 7. Stella By Starlight

This Soul Note release features Lee Konitz with his 1986 quartet, a unit that also includes pianist Harold Danko, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Al Harewood. Konitz, listed as playing soprano on the album but actually sticking exclusively to alto, not only interprets three veteran standards ("Ezz-thetic," "If You Could See Me Now" and "Stella by Starlight") but also three of Danko's then-recent originals and his own "Chick Came Around." The subtle but swinging music is harmonically advanced and full of surprising twists; no predictable bebop here. More than most members of his musical generation, Lee Konitz has continued to keep his music and improvising style fresh and enthusiastic while retaining his own original musical personality through the years. ~Scott Yanow

Ideal Scene

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Jeff Denson, Lee Konitz - Jeff Denson Trio + Lee Konitz

Styles: Contemporary Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:50
Size: 127,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:38) 1. Baby
(5:00) 2. Dust
(4:51) 3. Blue Skies
(4:30) 4. East Thirty-Second
(6:07) 5. Subconscious Lee
(5:46) 6. Body and Soul
(6:34) 7. Background Music
(5:25) 8. Kary's Trance
(4:48) 9. Skylark
(5:13) 10. 317 East 32nd Street
(2:52) 11. Subconscious Lee (Solo)

After more than a decade as a co-leader of the internationally acclaimed trio Minsarah, bassist Jeff Denson is forging into new territory with his trio that features Dan Zemelman on piano and Jon Arkin on drums. Each season, Jeff will select an outstanding featured guest featuring the project as, The Jeff Denson Trio +1. For the 2015/2016 season the special featured guest will be legendary alto saxophonist Lee Konitz. Jeff has performed with Lee since 2007 and was a member of the Lee Konitz New Quartet, the only permanent group that the eminent saxophonist has ever led.

There are a couple of elements that largely set this album apart from other projects that Jeff and Lee have worked on together: Improvisation between the alto saxophone, bowed double bass and their voices. After largely focusing on standards for the last decade, they take a fresh look at some of the Music of the "Lennie Tristano School" (compositions by Tristano, Konitz, Marsh and Bauer). Jeff takes an unusual approach doubling the complex themes of the Tristano School and interweaving the solo lines like the historic duo of Konitz and Marsh. "Jeff is an exceptional musician who is a creative force on the double bass and has an original approach and voice on the instrument." ~ Lee Konitz https://www.jeffdenson.com/jdtkonitz

Personnel: Jeff Denson: bass, vocals; Lee Konitz: alto saxophone, vocals; Dan Zemelman: piano; Jon Arkin: drums

Jeff Denson Trio And Lee Konitz

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Gil Evans & Lee Konitz - Heroes

Styles: Piano And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:35
Size: 122,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:11) 1. Prince of Darkness
(6:49) 2. Reincarnation of a Lovebird
(8:27) 3. Aprilling
(6:17) 4. What Am I Here for
(6:52) 5. All the Things You Are
(6:17) 6. Prelude No. 20 in C Minor, Opus 28
(6:18) 7. Blues Improvisation/Zee Zee
(6:20) 8. Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)

This CD (and its follow-up Anti-Heroes) features the rather odd duo of Lee Konitz (on alto and soprano) and pianist Gil Evans. Since Evans was far from a virtuoso and at best played "arranger's piano" (particularly at this late stage in his life), his accompaniment behind Konitz is quite sparse. The repertoire includes standards, Konitz's "Aprilling," an adaptation of some Chopin and a medley of Evans' "Blues Improvisation" and "Zee Zee." But frankly overall this is a rather uneventful and often dull release that can easily be passed by.~Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/heroes-mr0000130968

Personnel:Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Lee Konitz; Piano – Gil Evans

Heroes

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Lee Konitz - At the Half Note Disc 1 And Disc 2

Album: At the Half Note Disc 1
Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1959/2020
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:52
Size: 112,3 MB
Art: Front

(9:16) 1. Palo Alto
(9:17) 2. How About You?
(6:56) 3. My Melancholy Baby
(7:55) 4. Scrapple from the Apple
(7:41) 5. You Stepped out of a Dream
(7:44) 6. 317 E 32nd

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Album: At the Half Note Disc 2
Time: 47:39
Size: 109,5 MB

(8:46) 1. April
(8:11) 2. It’S You or No One
(5:43) 3. Just Friends
(8:33) 4. Baby, Baby All the Time
(8:41) 5. Lennie-Bird
(7:41) 6. Subconscious-Lee

The music on this two-CD set has a strange history. Pianist Lennie Tristano had a rare reunion with altoist Lee Konitz and tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh (his two greatest "students") during an extended stay at the Half Note in 1959. Tristano took Tuesday nights off to teach and Bill Evans was his substitute, but the pianist had a couple of those performances recorded for posterity. While listening to his tapes years later, he was so impressed with Marsh's playing that he sent edited versions (comprised entirely of the tenor man's solos) to Marsh, and somehow they ended up being released in that form by the Revelation label. In 1994, the unedited music was finally issued by Verve; the consistently exciting playing by Konitz, Marsh, and Evans (with backup by bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Paul Motian) makes one wonder what took so long. They perform a dozen extended standards (or "originals" based on the chord changes of familiar tunes) with creativity and inspiration. In fact, of all the Konitz-Marsh recordings, this set ranks near the top. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-half-note-mw0000626075

Personnel: Lee Konitz – alto saxophone; Warne Marsh – tenor saxophone; Bill Evans – piano; Jimmy Garrison – bass; Paul Motian – drums

At the Half Note

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Lee Konitz - Classic Konitz

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:52
Size: 131,5 MB
Art: Front

( 4:10)  1. You're Clear Out of this World
( 3:57)  2. East 32nd
( 2:50)  3. My Old Flame
( 4:29)  4. I Remember You
( 5:20)  5. Round Midnight
( 3:01)  6. Skylark
( 4:04)  7. The Daffodil's Smile
( 3:06)  8. Easy Livin'
( 2:22)  9. I've Got It Bad
(11:14) 10. If I Had You
( 3:40) 11. Froggy Day
( 4:10) 12. You Are Too Beautiful
( 4:22) 13. You Don't Know What Love Is

One of the most individual of all altoists (and one of the few in the 1950s who did not sound like a cousin of Charlie Parker), the cool-toned Lee Konitz has always had a strong musical curiosity, leading him to consistently take chances and stretch himself, usually quite successfully. He was a member of Miles Davis' classic '50s nonet, and his early work alongside pianist Lennie Tristano is often cited as an influence on the "free jazz" movement of the '60s. He built upon Tristano's approach on his own albums like 1950's Subconscious-Lee, 1957's Tranquility, and 1967's The Lee Konitz Duets, all of which showcase his sculptural approach to harmony. A longtime associate of the Creative Music Studio since the '70s, Konitz has continued to record distinctive albums, exploring both standards and forward-thinking original material.  Born in 1927 in Chicago, Konitz studied clarinet early on, eventually switching to alto. Following early work with Jerry Wald, he gained some attention for his solos with Claude Thornhill & His Orchestra (1947). 

He began studying with Lennie Tristano, who had a big influence on his conception and approach to improvising. Konitz was with Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool nonet during their one gig and their Capitol recordings (1948-1950), and he recorded with Lennie Tristano's innovative sextet (1949), including the first two free improvisations ever documented. Konitz blended very well with Warne Marsh's tenor (their unisons on "Wow" are miraculous) and would have several reunions with both Tristano and Marsh through the years, but he was also interested in finding his own way; by the early '50s he started breaking away from the Tristano school. Konitz toured Scandinavia (1951), where his cool sound was influential, and he fit in surprisingly well with Stan Kenton & His Orchestra (1952-1954), being featured on many charts by Bill Holman and Bill Russo.  Konitz was primarily a leader from that point on. He almost retired from music in the early '60s but re-emerged a few years later. His recordings have ranged from cool bop to thoughtful free improvisations, and his Milestone set of Duets (1967) is a classic. In the '70s and '80s, Konitz increased his recorded output, issuing consistently stimulating sessions for such labels as SteepleChase, Philogy, Soul Note, and others.

In 1992, he won the prestigious Jazzpar Prize. He kept a busy release schedule throughout the '90s and dabbled in the world of classical music with 2000's French Impressionist Music from the Turn of the Twentieth Century. The Mark Masters Ensemble joined him for 2004's One Day with Lee, and in 2007 he recorded Portology with the Ohad Talmor Big Band. He has recorded on soprano and tenor but has mostly stuck with his distinctive alto.  In 2011, he released his own trio album, Knowinglee, and appeared on the live ECM date Live at Birdland (recorded in 2009) with pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Paul Motian. Three years later, he joined Dan Tepfer, Michael Janisch, and Jeff Williams for First Meeting: Live in London, Vol. 1. The quartet date, Frescalalto, arrived in 2017 and featured the saxophonist alongside pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Kenny Washington. In 2019, Konitz paired with longtime associate saxophonist/arranger Ohad Talmor for the album Old Songs New, a nonet recording focusing on beloved yet less-often-recorded standards. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lee-konitz-mn0000227776/biography

R.I.P.
Born: October 13, 1927 Chicago, Illinois, US
Died:    April 15, 2020 (aged 92) Manhattan, New York City, US

Classic Konitz

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Lee Konitz Feat. Barry Harris - Lullaby Of Birdland

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:05
Size: 145,7 MB
Art: Front

(9:05)  1. Lullaby Of Birdland
(7:44)  2. This Is Always
(7:53)  3. Anthropology
(9:54)  4. Ask Me Now
(6:23)  5. East Of The Sun
(7:28)  6. Cherokee
(8:38)  7. 'Round Midnight
(5:56)  8. The Song Is You

Lullaby of Birdland is a live album by saxophonist Lee Konitz featuring pianist Barry Harris which was recorded at Birdland in 1991 and released on the Candid label. The Allmusic review stated "Konitz and Harris have not crossed paths all that often through the years but they joined forces for an engagement at Birdland in 1991. ... 

The two stylists mix together just fine. Konitz's sweet/sour tone and melancholy moods are joyfully uplifted by Harris' mastery of bebop" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lullaby_of_Birdland_(album)

Personnel: Lee Konitz – alto saxophone; Barry Harris – piano; Calvin Hill – bass; Leroy Williams – drums

Lullaby Of Birdland

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Bill Evans & Lee Konitz - Play The Arrangements Of Jimmy Giuffre

Styles: Piano And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:29
Size: 172,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:08)  1. Palo Alto
(5:02)  2. When Your Lover Has Gone
(9:50)  3. Cork'n' Bib
(4:29)  4. Somp'm Outa' Nothin'
(3:36)  5. Someone To Watch Over Me
(3:55)  6. Uncharted
(3:59)  7. Moonlight In Vermont
(5:08)  8. The Song Is You
(1:58)  9. Darn That Dream
(4:48) 10. Ev'rything I've Got (Belongs To You)
(4:19) 11. You Don't Know What Love Is
(4:00) 12. I Didn't Know About You
(3:57) 13. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
(4:11) 14. You're Driving Me Crazy
(4:08) 15. You're Clear Out Of This World
(3:39) 16. The More I See You
(4:12) 17. You Are Too Beautiful

Merged from two brilliant 1959 studio sessions, this disc is, just as the title and artist credits suggest, a showcase for three immense talents. Those expecting to hear the snap-crackle of Roy Haynes' snare or Bob Brookmeyer's punctuated counterpoints after reading the all-star lineup may be surprised to hear them relegated to the background, but any disappointment will end there. The brilliant playing of Konitz and Evans, paired with Jimmy Giuffre's sensitive arrangements, is enough to satisfy any true jazz lover. Assembled for the album Lee Konitz Meets Jimmy Giuffre, the first band, a quintet of saxophones backed by the rhythmic underpinnings of Evans, bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Ronnie Free, immediately shows its musicality on the angular, quasi-atonal "Palo Alto. After a rundown of the pointillistic Giuffre arrangement, Konitz jumps in and alternately toys with and floats over the buoyantly swinging rhythm section and airy horn backgrounds. Konitz and Evans solo at length on "Somp'm Outa' Nothin', which can only be described as a blues that has a hard time getting off the "one" chord. The arrangement is quintessential Guiffre, with its dense tone clusters and recurring rhythmic pedal; Evans takes incredible liberties with the harmonic structure and shows an early affinity for Monk. Following a chamber-jazz reworking of "Darn That Dream, in which Giuffre masterfully exploits the subtle harmonic movements using a quintet of saxophones, the album is rounded out with a number of tracks from the '59 album You And Lee. Recorded five months after the initial Konitz/Giuffre studio session, this date finds a trio of trumpets and trombones replacing the saxophone section and adding a distinct edge to the music. Konitz is clearly the leader here; his probing, inventive solos are featured throughout the lineup of reworked standards, and the comping work is split by Evans' piano and the earthy guitar of Jim Hall. The tunes, especially "You Don't Know What Love Is, show Konitz at his best. He dazzles the listener with his sensitivity and invention and revels in the shimmering, transparent beauty evoked by Giuffre's arrangements. ~ Matthew Miller https://www.allaboutjazz.com/play-the-arrangements-of-jimmy-giuffre-bill-evans-lone-hill-jazz-review-by-matthew-miller.php?width=1920

Personnel: Band 1: Lee Konitz, Hal McKusick: alto saxophone; Ted Brown, Warne Marsh: tenor saxophone; Jimmy Giuffre: baritone saxophone/arrangements; Bill Evans: piano; Buddy Clark: bass; Ronnie Free: drums.

Band 2: Marky Markowitz, Ernie Royal, Phil Sunkel: trumpet; Eddie Bert, Billy Byers; trombone; Bob Brookmeyer: valve trombone; Lee Konitz: alto saxophone; Bill Evans; piano; Sonny Dallas: bass; Roy Haynes: drums; Jimmy Giuffre: arranger, conductor.

Play The Arrangements Of Jimmy Giuffre

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Lee Konitz Quartet - Tranquility

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:08
Size: 79,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:56)  1. Stephanie
(3:12)  2. Memories of You
(4:57)  3. People Will Say We're In Love
(3:48)  4. When You're Smiling
(3:27)  5. Sunday
(5:26)  6. Lennie Bird
(6:10)  7. The Nearness of You
(3:09)  8. Jonquil

Lee Konitz' Verve label debut remains the purest expression of the sculpted, geometric aesthetic the altoist honed throughout the Eisenhower era crafted with startling precision and economy, Tranquility extols the virtues of mood and shape with Talmudic zeal, towering astride thought and expression. Supported by the bedrock rhythm section of bassist Henry Grimes and drummer Dave Bailey, Konitz and guitarist Billy Bauer weave melodies as intricate and ephemeral as spider webs. Rarely is music so profoundly cerebral also so deeply heartfelt. ~ Jason Ankeny https://www.allmusic.com/album/tranquility-mw0000765548

Personnel: Lee Konitz – alto saxophone; Billy Bauer – guitar; Henry Grimes – bass; Dave Bailey – drums

Tranquility

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Martial Solal - Four Keys

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:15
Size: 90,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:42)  1. Brain Stream
(7:28)  2. Not Scheduled
(6:24)  3. Grapes
(6:05)  4. Retro Active
(4:42)  5. Energy
(4:34)  6. Satar
(3:17)  7. Four Keys

An all-star quartet (pianist Martial Solal, altoist Lee Konitz, guitarist John Scofield and bassist Niels Pedersen) explores seven diverse Solal originals that range from chamberlike pieces to fairly free group improvising. The results are often exciting if cool in both tone and volume. Thoughtful yet unpredictable music. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/four-keys-mw0000902050

Personnel:  Martial Solal – piano; Lee Konitz – alto saxophone; John Scofield – guitar; Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen – bass

Four Keys

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Lee Konitz - Pride

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:34
Size: 155,5 MB
Art: Front

( 4:49)  1. Monkian' around
( 6:58)  2. Triste
( 7:04)  3. Come rain or come shine
(13:39)  4. Stellar
( 8:13)  5. Gundula
(11:54)  6. Once I had a secret love
( 8:04)  7. Lover man
( 6:50)  8. Zingaro

Throughout his career, altoist Lee Konitz has always had his ears open and been a musically curious improviser. His brand of relaxed freedom, tied to chordal improvisation but much freer than the usual beboppers, and his cool and distinctive sound have made him a jazz giant for decades. For this set, Konitz is teamed with three musicians (pianist/organist George Colligan, bassist Doug Weiss, and drummer Darren Beckett) with whom he had never played before. However, the combination work well on five standards and three Konitz songs. 

The music always swings, the rhythm section is supportive, and Konitz is as inventive as always. This is also one of the few sessions in which the altoist (on a few cuts) is backed by organ. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/pride-mw0000966063

Personnel: Lee Konitz – alto saxophone; George Colligan – piano, organ; Doug Weiss – bass; Darren Beckett – drums

Pride

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Lee Konitz, Don Friedman - Lee Konitz Meets Don Friedman

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:54
Size: 165,4 MB
Art: Front

(11:53)  1. Alone Together
(10:11)  2. In Your Own Sweet Way
( 7:45)  3. Huntington Street
( 9:41)  4. Opus D'amour
( 7:52)  5. It's You
( 8:28)  6. My Old Flame
( 8:57)  7. Almost Everything
( 7:04)  8. Lew 'N' Shu

Lee Konitz is one of a few alto saxophonists in jazz who avoided succumbing to copying Charlie Parker's approach, instead developing a dry, very lyrical style and an adventurous spirit in his musical instruments that rivals almost any other instrumentalist of his era. Matching him with the superb pianist Don Friedman was an inspired decision, as the two men soar in their musical explorations together, along with bassist Tsutomu Okada and drummer Jeff Williams. Their reworking of Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" finds them moving further away from its famous theme (compared to its composer's performances) in a lengthy, but never dull interpretation. Konitz plays soprano sax on several tracks, including the drummer's driving "Huntington Street" and the leader's tricky "Lew 'N' Shu." Beautifully recorded in front of a respectful audience, this Japanese release is worth acquiring. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/lee-konitz-meets-don-friedman-mw0000912707

Personnel:  Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz; Bass – Tsutomu Okada; Drums – Jeff Williams; Piano – Don Friedman

Lee Konitz Meets Don Friedman

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Lee Konitz,Tiziana Ghiglioni,Stefano Battaglia - So Many Stars

Styles: Vocal, Piano And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 79:19
Size: 184,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:39)  1. Lone Lee into Free Duet
(2:39)  2. Lover Man (Take 2)
(6:41)  3. So Many Stars (Take 1)
(6:30)  4. While We're Young (Take 1)
(5:18)  5. My Foolish Heart (Take 1)
(7:14)  6. My Funny Valentine (Take 1)
(4:33)  7. My Romance (Take 3)
(5:40)  8. O Cantador (Take 1)
(8:15)  9. My Funny Valentine (Take 2)
(5:55) 10. I'll Wind
(6:03) 11. Summertime (Take 2)
(6:04) 12. From This Moment On
(7:44) 13. It Never Entered My Mind
(3:00) 14. Blues for Red Mitchell (Section 2)

Lee Konitz's prolific recordings for Philology are wide ranging, with no two sessions alike, and this free form date with singer Tiziana Ghiglioni and pianist Stefano Battaglia is no exception. Alternating between alto and soprano saxes, he is playing at his usual high level throughout the date. Ghiglioni begins "Lover Man" unaccompanied with a fragile tone that grows more so as Konitz's light toned alto sax joins her. Battaglia's bittersweet arrangement of "My Foolish Heart" features Konitz's haunting soprano sax set the mood before Ghiglioni finally makes her entrance. The moody reharmonization of the master take of "My Funny Valentine" is yet another highlight, while the alternate is more abstract. The softness of Ghiglioni's vocals invite comparison to Meredith D'Ambrosio, so it will probably be difficult for this enjoyable singer to achieve widespread attention, but her work is worth exploring. Producer Paolo Piangiarelli proves to be a discographer's dream as he not only labels which take was used for each song but also indicates when a solo was substituted from an alternate take. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/so-many-stars-mw0000232613

Personnel:  Lee Konitz - alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Tiziana Ghiglioni - vocals; Stefano Battaglia - piano.

So Many Stars

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