Lee Konitz

Lee Konitz

14099 fans

With over 140 recorded works under his own name and numerous others as a sideman, jazz saxophonist Lee Konitz has a recording career stretching almost seven decades and has played alongside many of the jazz greats. As one of the players who participated in the legendary 'Birth of the Cool' sessions during 1949-'50 alongside Miles Davis and other jazz notables such as Max Roach, Junior Collins and Gerry Mulligan, Konitz can claim his place as one of the founding fathers of the cool jazz movement.

Konitz's style is distinctive for its use of lengthy improvised melodies punctuated with accents and note groupings in which occasionally he will overlay a phrase in a different time signature. Konitz developed his performing style by playing with the Stan Kenton Orchestra throughout the 1950s. During this period he continued to pursue his solo ambitions and recorded numerous albums; one in particular, his 1961 album 'Motion', is regarded as his finest album. Konitz was assisted on the recording by Elvin Jones on drums and Sonny Dallas on bass and the original album containing just five tracks is considered a jazz masterpiece.

Konitz has continued to perform live well into his old age and recorded a live album in 2010 in Soho, London at the age of 83.

Top tracks

08
Cherokee
Lee Konitz
Frescalalto
03:57
Composers: Ray Noble
08
Moonlight In Vermont
Lee Konitz
Lee Konitz Meets Jimmy Giuffre
03:59
Writer: John M. Blackburn - Karl Suessdorf / Composers: John M. Blackburn - Karl Suessdorf
08
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Lee Konitz
You And Lee
03:57
Writer: George Bassman - Ned Washington - Reg Howard / Composers: George Bassman - Ned Washington
02
You Don't Know What Love Is
Lee Konitz
You And Lee
04:19
Writer: Don Raye / Composers: Gene DePaul - Don Raye
02
Lover Man (Live At The Haig, Los Angeles / 1953)
Lee Konitz
Konitz Meets Mulligan
03:00
Composers: Jimmy Sherman - Roger Ramirez - Jimmie Davis
06
Someone To Watch Over Me
Lee Konitz
Lee Konitz Meets Jimmy Giuffre
03:36
Writer: Ira Gershwin - George Gershwin / Composers: George Gershwin
02
I Can't Get Started
Lee Konitz
Post Bop
03:56
Writer: Duke - George Gershwin
02
Blues by Lester (Live)
Warne Marsh
Live At The Club Montmartre, Vol. 1
07:50
01
Topsy
Lee Konitz
Lee Konitz with Warne Marsh
05:24
Composers: Durham & Battle
07
Almost Like Being In Love
Lee Konitz
Konitz Meets Mulligan
02:59
Composers: Alan Jay Lerner - Frederick Loewe
05
Pearl River
Jakob Bro
Taking Turns
06:45
Composers: Jakob Bro
04
Donna Lee
Lee Konitz
Lee Konitz with Warne Marsh
06:13
Composers: Charlie Parker
05
Indian Summer
Lee Konitz
The Complete Prestige 10-Inch LP Collection
02:32
Writer: Victor Herbert / Composers: Victor Herbert
03
Milford Sound
Jakob Bro
Taking Turns
05:03
Composers: Jakob Bro
02
Thingin
Lee Konitz
Frescalalto
06:25
Composers: Lee Konitz
03
Kind Folk
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
08:36
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
05
Crazy She Calls Me
Lee Konitz
Very Cool
07:24
Writer: Irving Caesar - Joseph Meyer / Composers: Roger Wolfe Kahn - Irving Caesar - Joseph Meyer
01
Nicolette
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
08:36
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
05
Angel Song
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
07:35
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
06
Onmo
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
05:50
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
01
Round Midnight
Lee Konitz
An Image: Lee Konitz With Strings
05:16
Composers: Bernard D. Hanighen - Cootie Williams - Thelonious Monk
02
Haiti
Jakob Bro
Taking Turns
07:47
Composers: Jakob Bro
04
Unti
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
09:52
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
01
Black Is All Colors at Once
Jakob Bro
Taking Turns
06:18
Composers: Jakob Bro
02
Present Past
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
12:07
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
04
I Fall In Love Too Easily (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
10:17
Writer: Jule Styne - Sammy Cahn / Composers: Jule Styne - Sammy Cahn
02
There Will Never Be Another You
Lee Konitz
Lee Konitz with Warne Marsh
04:44
Writer: Warren / Composers: Gordon
04
Aarhus
Jakob Bro
Taking Turns
03:40
Composers: Jakob Bro
05
'Round Midnight
Lee Konitz
Alone Together
12:49
Writer: Bernard D. Hanighen / Composers: Thelonious Monk - Cootie Williams
03
Solar (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
11:39
Writer: Miles Davis / Composers: Miles Davis
09
Night And Day (Take 9)
Bill Evans
Crosscurrents
07:07
Composers: Cole Porter
08
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye (Take 7)
Bill Evans
Crosscurrents
03:30
Composers: Cole Porter
08
Past Present
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
07:04
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
06
Oleo (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
15:19
Writer: Sonny Rollins / Composers: Sonny Rollins
07
Eiderdown (Take 9)
Bill Evans
Crosscurrents
05:38
Composers: Steve Swallow
05
Music For Alto Saxophone And Strings (Pt. 2)
Lee Konitz
An Image: Lee Konitz With Strings
02:53
Composers: Bill Russo
06
Peninsula
Jakob Bro
Taking Turns
05:35
Composers: Jakob Bro
05
You Stepped Out Of A Dream (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
11:49
Writer: Nacio Herb Brown - Gus Kahn / Composers: Nacio Herb Brown - Gus Kahn
01
Lover Man (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
12:05
Writer: Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez - Jimmie Davis - Jimmy Sherman / Composers: Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez - Jimmie Davis - Jimmy Sherman
01
I Remember You
Lee Konitz
Motion
04:24
Writer: Johnny Mercer / Composers: Victor Schertzinger
01
Another Shade Of Blue (Live At The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles / 1996)
Lee Konitz
Another Shade Of Blue
10:48
Composers: Lee Konitz - Charlie Haden
02
Lullaby Of Birdland (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
10:16
Writer: George David Weiss - George Shearing / Composers: George David Weiss - George Shearing
03
What's New (Live At The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles / 1996)
Lee Konitz
Another Shade Of Blue
15:50
Writer: Johnny Burke / Composers: Bob Haggart
04
Subconscious-Lee
Lee Konitz
Subconscious-Lee
02:49
Composers: Lee Konitz
02
Foolin' Myself
Lee Konitz
The Real Lee Konitz
04:42
Writer: A. Razaf - T. Waller / Composers: Lawrence - Trinturin
02
Everything Happens To Me (Live At The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles / 1996)
Lee Konitz
Another Shade Of Blue
12:17
Composers: Carmichael - Johnny Mercer
04
What Is This Thing Called Love?
Lee Konitz
Alone Together
11:32
Writer: Cole Porter / Composers: Cole Porter
03
Cherokee
Lee Konitz
Alone Together
10:59
Composers: Ray Noble

Playlists

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  • Discography
Albums
Frescalalto
â„— 2017 Impulse ! A Division of Universal Music France
10-02-2017
Frescalalto
01
Stella By Starlight
Lee Konitz
Frescalalto
09:35
Composers: Ned Washington - Victor Popular Young
02
Thingin
Lee Konitz
Frescalalto
06:25
Composers: Lee Konitz
03
Darn That Dream
Lee Konitz
Frescalalto
05:17
Writer: Eddie DeLange / Composers: Jimmy van Heusen
04
Kary's Trance
Lee Konitz
Frescalalto
04:57
Composers: Lee Konitz
05
Out Of Nowhere
Lee Konitz
Frescalalto
07:26
Writer: Robert Sour - Edward Heyman / Composers: Johnny Green
06
Gundula
Lee Konitz
Frescalalto
03:25
Composers: Lee Konitz
07
Invitation
Lee Konitz
Frescalalto
09:19
Writer: Paul Francis Webster / Composers: Bronislaw Kaper
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
Live At Birdland
â„— 2011 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
13-05-2011
Live At Birdland
01
Lover Man (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
12:05
Writer: Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez - Jimmie Davis - Jimmy Sherman / Composers: Roger J. "Ram" Ramirez - Jimmie Davis - Jimmy Sherman
02
Lullaby Of Birdland (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
10:16
Writer: George David Weiss - George Shearing / Composers: George David Weiss - George Shearing
03
Solar (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
11:39
Writer: Miles Davis / Composers: Miles Davis
04
I Fall In Love Too Easily (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
10:17
Writer: Jule Styne - Sammy Cahn / Composers: Jule Styne - Sammy Cahn
05
You Stepped Out Of A Dream (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
11:49
Writer: Nacio Herb Brown - Gus Kahn / Composers: Nacio Herb Brown - Gus Kahn
06
Oleo (Live At Birdland)
Lee Konitz
Live At Birdland
15:19
Writer: Sonny Rollins / Composers: Sonny Rollins
More Live-Lee
â„— 2004 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-2004
More Live-Lee
01
Invitation (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
More Live-Lee
07:34
Composers: Bronislaw Kaper
02
Body and Soul (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
More Live-Lee
06:21
Writer: Robert Sour - Edward Heyman / Composers: Frank Eyton - John W. Green - John Greene
03
Thingin' (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
More Live-Lee
06:47
Composers: Lee Konitz
04
You Stepped Out Of A Dream (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
More Live-Lee
05:40
Composers: Gus Kahn - Nacio Herb Brown
05
Nothin' (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
More Live-Lee
04:10
Composers: Lee Konitz
06
I Can't Get Started (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
More Live-Lee
08:03
Composers: Ira Gershwin - Vernon Duke
07
Lennie's (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
More Live-Lee
06:53
Composers: Lee Konitz
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Live-Lee
â„— 2003 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-2003
Live-Lee
01
I'll Remember April (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
Live-Lee
05:47
Writer: Patricia Johnston - Don Raye / Composers: Patricia Johnston - Gene de Paul - Don Raye
02
Sweet And Lovely (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
Live-Lee
06:43
Writer: Gus Arnheim - Harry Tobias - Jules Lemare / Composers: Gus Arnheim - Jules Lemare
03
Sequentialee (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
Live-Lee
05:03
Writer: Lee Konitz / Composers: Lee Konitz
04
If You Could See Me Now (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
Live-Lee
05:31
Writer: Carl Sigman - Tadd Dameron / Composers: Tadd Dameron
05
Cherokee (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
Live-Lee
05:59
Writer: Ray Noble / Composers: Ray Noble
06
Gundula (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
Live-Lee
07:15
Writer: Lee Konitz / Composers: Lee Konitz
07
Keepin' The News (live at the Jazz Bakery)
Lee Konitz
Live-Lee
03:47
Writer: Lee Konitz / Composers: Lee Konitz
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Spirits
â„— 1999 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1999
Spirits
01
Baby (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
Spirits
04:25
Composers: Lennie Tristano
02
Dreams (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
Spirits
05:15
Composers: Lennie Tristano
03
Two Not One (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
Spirits
05:37
Composers: Lennie Tristano
04
Hugo's Head (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
Spirits
03:41
Composers: Lee Konitz
05
Background Music (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
Spirits
04:01
Composers: Wayne Marsh
06
Lennie Bird (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
Spirits
04:39
Composers: Lennie Tristano
07
Wow (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
Spirits
04:28
Composers: Lennie Tristano
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
Another Shade Of Blue
â„— 1999 Blue Note Records
01-01-1999
Another Shade Of Blue
01
Another Shade Of Blue (Live At The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles / 1996)
Lee Konitz
Another Shade Of Blue
10:48
Composers: Lee Konitz - Charlie Haden
02
Everything Happens To Me (Live At The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles / 1996)
Lee Konitz
Another Shade Of Blue
12:17
Composers: Carmichael - Johnny Mercer
03
What's New (Live At The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles / 1996)
Lee Konitz
Another Shade Of Blue
15:50
Writer: Johnny Burke / Composers: Bob Haggart
04
Body And Soul (Live At The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles / 1996)
Lee Konitz
Another Shade Of Blue
17:30
Composers: Edward Heyman - Frank Eyton - Robert Sour - Johnny Green
05
All Of Us (Live At The Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles / 1996)
Lee Konitz
Another Shade Of Blue
11:27
Composers: Lee Konitz - Charlie Haden - Brad Mehldau
Angel Song
â„— 1997 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
01-02-1997
Angel Song
01
Nicolette
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
08:36
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
02
Present Past
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
12:07
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
03
Kind Folk
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
08:36
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
04
Unti
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
09:52
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
05
Angel Song
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
07:35
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
06
Onmo
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
05:50
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
07
Nonetheless
Kenny Wheeler
Angel Song
05:27
Composers: Kenny Wheeler
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
Alone Together
â„— 1997 Blue Note Records
01-01-1997
Alone Together
01
Alone Together
Lee Konitz
Alone Together
13:48
Writer: Arthur Schwartz - Howard Dietz / Composers: Arthur Schwartz - Howard Dietz
02
The Song Is You
Lee Konitz
Alone Together
12:54
Writer: Oscar Hammerstein II - Jerome Kern / Composers: Oscar Hammerstein II - Jerome Kern
03
Cherokee
Lee Konitz
Alone Together
10:59
Composers: Ray Noble
04
What Is This Thing Called Love?
Lee Konitz
Alone Together
11:32
Writer: Cole Porter / Composers: Cole Porter
05
'Round Midnight
Lee Konitz
Alone Together
12:49
Writer: Bernard D. Hanighen / Composers: Thelonious Monk - Cootie Williams
06
You Stepped Out Of A Dream
Lee Konitz
Alone Together
11:36
Writer: Gus Kahn / Composers: Nacio Herb Brown
Live At The Half Note
â„— 1994 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1994
Live At The Half Note
01
Palo Alto
Lee Konitz
Live At The Half Note
09:14
Writer: Lee Konitz / Composers: Lee Konitz
02
How About You
Lee Konitz
Live At The Half Note
09:15
Writer: Burton Lane - Ralph Freed / Composers: Burton Lane - Ralph Freed
03
My Melancholy Baby
Lee Konitz
Live At The Half Note
06:54
Writer: George Norton / Composers: Ernie Burnett
04
Scrapple From The Apple
Lee Konitz
Live At The Half Note
07:53
Writer: Charlie Parker / Composers: Charlie Parker
05
You Stepped Out Of A Dream
Lee Konitz
Live At The Half Note
07:39
Writer: Gus Kahn - Nacio Herb Brown / Composers: Nacio Herb Brown
06
317 E 32nd
Lee Konitz
Live At The Half Note
07:44
Writer: Leonard Joseph Tristano / Composers: Leonard Joseph Tristano
01
April
Lee Konitz
Live At The Half Note
08:44
Writer: Gene DePaul - Don Raye - Patricia Johnston / Composers: Gene DePaul - Don Raye - Patricia Johnston
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Crosscurrents
â„— 1992 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1992
Crosscurrents
01
Eiderdown
Bill Evans
Crosscurrents
08:21
Composers: Steve Swallow
02
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
Bill Evans
Crosscurrents
03:31
Composers: Cole Porter
03
Pensativa
Bill Evans
Crosscurrents
05:39
Composers: Clare Fischer
04
Speak Low
Bill Evans
Crosscurrents
06:34
Composers: Kurt Weill - Ogden Nash
05
When I Fall In Love
Bill Evans
Crosscurrents
04:18
Composers: Victor Young - Edward Heyman
06
Night And Day
Bill Evans
Crosscurrents
06:06
Composers: Cole Porter
07
Eiderdown (Take 9)
Bill Evans
Crosscurrents
05:38
Composers: Steve Swallow
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
The Lee Konitz Duets
â„— 1990 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1990
The Lee Konitz Duets
01
Struttin' With Some Barbecue (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
The Lee Konitz Duets
03:07
Writer: Lillian Hardin Armstrong - Don Raye / Composers: Lillian Hardin Armstrong - Don Raye
02
You Don't Know What Love Is (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
The Lee Konitz Duets
03:33
Writer: Don Raye - Gene de Paul / Composers: Don Raye - Gene de Paul
03
Variations On ALONE TOGETHER (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
The Lee Konitz Duets
15:03
Writer: Howard Dietz / Composers: Arthur Schwartz
04
Checkerboard (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
The Lee Konitz Duets
05:50
Writer: Dick Katz / Composers: Dick Katz
05
ERB (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
The Lee Konitz Duets
03:09
Writer: Jim Hall / Composers: Jim Hall
06
Tickle Toe (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
The Lee Konitz Duets
02:59
Writer: Lester Young / Composers: Lester Young
07
Duplexity (Album Version)
Lee Konitz
The Lee Konitz Duets
06:19
Writer: Ray Nance - Lee Konitz / Composers: Ray Nance - Lee Konitz
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
In Rio
1989 MA Music
02-08-1989
In Rio
01
Ocean Song
Lee Konitz
In Rio
06:31
Composers: Allan Botschinsky
02
Easy Dancing
Lee Konitz
In Rio
08:05
Composers: Allan Botschinsky
03
Rainy Afternoon
Lee Konitz
In Rio
05:45
Composers: Allan Botschinsky
04
Samba Zezita
Lee Konitz
In Rio
07:19
Composers: Allan Botschinsky
05
O Carinho
Lee Konitz
In Rio
07:54
Composers: Allan Botschinsky
06
Waltz for Lee
Lee Konitz
In Rio
06:04
Composers: Allan Botschinsky
07
Goodbye Ipanema
Lee Konitz
In Rio
06:32
Composers: Allan Botschinsky
Satori
â„— 1975 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1975
Satori
01
Just Friends
Lee Konitz
Satori
07:00
Writer: Sam M. Lewis / Composers: John Klenner
02
On Green Dolphin Street
Lee Konitz
Satori
05:43
Composers: Ned Washington - Bronislaw Kaper
03
Satori
Lee Konitz
Satori
09:02
Composers: Dick Katz - Lee Konitz - Martial Solal - David Holland - Jack DeJohnette
04
Sometime Ago
Lee Konitz
Satori
07:18
Composers: Sergio Mihanovich
05
What's New
Lee Konitz
Satori
03:22
Writer: Johnny Burke / Composers: Bob Haggart
06
Hymn
Lee Konitz
Satori
02:43
Composers: Lee Konitz
07
Free Blues
Lee Konitz
Satori
07:50
Composers: Lee Konitz
Motion
â„— 1961 UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1961
Motion
01
I Remember You
Lee Konitz
Motion
04:24
Writer: Johnny Mercer / Composers: Victor Schertzinger
02
All Of Me
Lee Konitz
Motion
07:16
Composers: Seymour B. Simons - Gerald Marks
03
Foolin' Myself
Lee Konitz
Motion
06:55
Composers: Jack Lawrence - Peter Tinturin
04
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Lee Konitz
Motion
08:03
Composers: Cole Porter
05
I'll Remember April
Lee Konitz
Motion
07:47
Writer: Don Raye / Composers: Gene DePaul - Patricia Johnston
You And Lee
â„— 1959 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1959
You And Lee
01
Ev'rything I've Got (Belongs To You)
Lee Konitz
You And Lee
04:47
Writer: Richard Rodgers - Lorenz Hart / Composers: Richard Rodgers - Lorenz Hart
02
You Don't Know What Love Is
Lee Konitz
You And Lee
04:19
Writer: Don Raye / Composers: Gene DePaul - Don Raye
03
You're Driving Me Crazy
Lee Konitz
You And Lee
04:14
Writer: Walter Donaldson / Composers: Walter Donaldson
04
I Didn't Know About You
Lee Konitz
You And Lee
04:00
Writer: Bob Russell / Composers: Duke Ellington - Bob Russell
05
You're Clear Out Of This World
Lee Konitz
You And Lee
04:06
Writer: Johnny Mercer - Harold Arlen / Composers: Johnny Mercer - Harold Arlen
06
The More I See
Lee Konitz
You And Lee
03:42
Writer: Mack Gordon - Harry Warren / Composers: Mack Gordon - Harry Warren
07
You Are Too Beautiful
Lee Konitz
You And Lee
04:09
Writer: Lorenz Hart - Richard Rodgers / Composers: Richard Rodgers
Access the complete album info (8 songs)