CiTR

Lee Konitz is one of the foremost voices of the alto saxophone. He was one of the first to emerge in the late 1940s and NOT play like Charlie Parker. He hooked up with pianist/teacher/guru Lennie Tristano and became one of his leading disciples. Konitz went on to play with Miles Davis and tour with Stan Kenton and then formed his own ensembles. Konitz has never been an "in your face" kind of player but always exhibited a warm woody sound coupled with a melodic concept that never relied on cliches and "hot licks". Konitz was an influence on Paul Desmond and Art Pepper. Lee is also Anthony Braxton's favourite saxophonist! This album called "Motion" was recorded in one day and night on August 29,1961 and puts Lee with just bass and drums. The great and unheralded Sonny Dallas is on bass and the amazing Elvin Jones is on drums. Jones was with John Coltrane at the time and retains his identity but plays very differently with Konitz. These three men had never played together before and Lee just picked a group of great standard tunes to improvise on with rather amazing results. The very self-critical Mr. Konitz actually liked this record! I'm certain you will too. Konitz is still alive and well at age 86 and this album is a Konitz landmark.