Konitz, Lee
ECM, 2011, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 17.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Ballads, Blues
Performance: 3
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Veteran jazz saxophonist Lee Konitz leads a stellar team for this live session recorded in 2009 at New York’s Birdland. His compatriots are pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Charlie Haden and Paul Motian on drums. There is a quiet confidence that surfaces starting with Haden’s solo on “Lover Man” that excludes gymnastics favoring well developed melodies. By no means does that suggest the musicians are losing their chops. Far from it; Brad, Charlie and Lee take turns with the lead lines that are creative interpretations on these timeless classics transforming the pieces into new light. Among the best is “I Fall In Love Too Easily”.
Publicist: ECM Records
