TENORLEE/VINYLE 180GR

Description

As the title suggests, the recording Tenorlee features Lee Konitz, the great American saxophonist, playing exclusively on tenor. It was a spontaneous decision and a tribute to his dear friend, Lighthouse All-Star saxophonist Richie Kamuca, who had passed away just days before Konitz entered the studio for these sessions. Konitz received classical training on the clarinet but switched to jazz saxophone after falling in love with Lester Young. In 1945, at the age of 18, Konitz was performing professionally. He recorded an impressive 150 albums as a bandleader throughout his long and rich career. He played and recorded with everyone from Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, Ornette Colman, Elvin Jones, and Gerry Mulligan, to Elvis Costello, Brad Mehldau, and Charlie Haden. Between 1948 and 1950, he was a member of Miles Davis's group and participated in the recordings that would eventually be compiled and released under the name Birth of The Cool. With a trio featuring Jimmy Rowles, a former Lighthouse All-Star member, on piano and Michael Moore on bass, Konitz revisited old and familiar songs. The intention was to "let the tunes happen" as only finely tuned and experienced jazz musicians can. Notably, "Lady Be Good" features Konitz and Rowles quoting Lester Young's solo from the 1936 recording with Count Basie. Dating from 1978, originally on the Choice label, this album has been remastered and is presented here as the artist intended, with its original title, track order, and album cover, for the first time since its original release. Remastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering. Vinyl cut by Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl.