Lee Konitz

Lee Konitz

August 19, 2026 · 23 min · Season 3 · Episode 106

About this episode

This episode features saxophonist Lee Konitz, exploring his contributions to jazz and his connection to Lennie Tristano.

Saxophonist Lee Konitz (born Oct 13, 1927) is perhaps the best known of the Lennie Tristano disciples. He and Warne Marsh continued to follow Tristano’s musical path, essentially eschewing most of the innovations of bebop to follow a more abstract and more cerebral approach to the music. First gaining recognition recording with Tristano, he played with Claude Thornhill and the Thornhill/Gil Evans-influenced Birth of the Cool band with Miles Davis. He was a true improviser, refusing to fall back on preconceived licks when inspiration flagged. Help sponsor St. Michael's Jazz Fest Donate to the Jazz Legends podcast Contact us at stmichaelsjazzfest@gmail.com

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Guest: Lee Konitz

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