Artist page · 04/07/2026
About
Key 1957 mono LPs and live sessions; 20+ vinyl editions tracked globally.
Lee Konitz is recognized for his clear, fluid alto sax sound distinct from bebop icons. Early in his career he played in Stan Kenton's big band and with jazz innovators including Gerry Mulligan and Miles Davis. Konitz participated in the Birth of the Cool sessions marking a key moment in jazz history. His extensive vinyl discography spans bebop, cool jazz, free jazz, and post-bop, reflecting multiple collaborations including Warne Marsh and Jimmy Giuffre.
His albums include studio and live recordings from the 1950s through the 2010s, with notable labels like Atlantic, Verve, Blue Note, and Milestone releasing his work. Konitz remained dynamically active in jazz for over 70 years until his 2020 passing in New York City.
Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Owl Records · 1982
Atlas Record · 1982
MPS Records · 1982
Circle Records · 1980
Galaxy · 1979
Horo Records · 1978
Choice · 1978
Epic · 1978
Fantasy · 1978
Roulette · 1977
Wave · 1977
SteepleChase · 1977
Improvising Artists Inc. · 1977
SteepleChase · 1976
Horo Records · 1976
Milestone · 1975
Groove Merchant · 1975
SteepleChase · 1975
SteepleChase · 1974
Philips · 1973
Milestone · 1972
Atlantic · 1972
Music Minus One · 1970
Campi Records · 1969
MPS Records · 1968
Milestone · 1968
MPS Records · 1968
RCA Original Cast · 1968
Verve Records · 1961
Verve Records · 1960
Verve Records · 1959
Verve Records · 1958
Atlantic · 1957
Atlantic · 1957
Verve Records · 1957
World Pacific Records · 1957
Storyville · 1955
Atlantic · 1955
Vantage Records · 
Not On Label · Playlist
The tracks that sum up Lee Konitz's career.
The essentials
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
A classic 1957 mono album capturing Konitz's cool jazz interaction with Gerry Mulligan's quartet, featuring 10 tracks of bop and west coast stylings.
This 1957 Atlantic mono LP highlights Konitz’s distinct alto approach across 8 tracks, blending bop and cool jazz idioms.
A key 1957 mono album with 8 tracks emphasizing Konitz’s cool jazz phrasing and lyrical alto saxophone tone.
Go further
Artists who share part of Lee Konitz's musical DNA.
Collectors
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Face B
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
"When I start a chorus and discover I've already played it, I stop immediately."— Lee Konitz
The 1982 live LP from MPS Records documents a notable Berlin Jazz Days performance featuring eight tracks including "Invitation" and "Noblesse Oblige" lasting about 45 minutes.
This 1957 World Pacific stereo LP captures Konitz alongside Gerry Mulligan playing 10 jazz standards, including "Lady Be Good" and "All The Things You Are", recorded in the US.
Released in 1957 on Atlantic, this mono LP features eight tracks including "Pennies In Minor" and "You Go To My Head", showcasing Konitz's signature alto sax artistry.
Konitz was the first alto saxophonist of his era to break away from bebop's Charlie Parker influence, pioneering a more fluid, airy cool jazz style.
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Lee Konitz was an American jazz alto saxophonist known for bebop and cool jazz styles with a clear, fluid tone.
Essential records include 'Lee Konitz Plays With The Gerry Mulligan Quartet' (1957), 'The Real Lee Konitz' (1957), and 'Inside Hi-Fi' (1957), all notable mono LPs.
Key labels include Atlantic, World Pacific, Blue Note, Verve, and Milestone for various eras of his work.
Most early releases are mono LPs, with some later reissues and live recordings on various vinyl formats.
Yes, 'Live At The Berlin Jazz Days 1980' released by MPS Records in 1982 is a key live vinyl album documenting his performance in Berlin.
Original and reissue pressings like 'Live At The Berlin Jazz Days 1980' on MPS Records are available in France with catalog MPS 15577.
Later works on labels such as Candid include free jazz styles, expanding beyond his cool jazz origins.
Konitz pioneered a distinct alto sax style influencing cool jazz and artists like Art Pepper and Paul Desmond.
Transparency
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
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