Cream of the Konitz (1927-2020): An Uncivilized Mixtape
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It is with great sadness and love that we celebrate the life of Leon “Lee” Konitz, who passed away last week from complications with the COVID-19 virus. A true American Iconoclast, Lee kept getting better and better (like a fine wine), living a long, happy life which somehow combined the worlds of pure-joy and pure-creativity.
I did my damndest to pay tribute and eulogize in a piece over at Aquarium Drunkard which reads like an obit but is more of a nerdy love-ramble.
In celebration, Uncivilized folks picked their favorite cuts in a new Spotify playlist.
Comments from each contributor below.
Stay Safe,
@UncivilizedTom
- “I remember u off motion” — Ben Katz, bass clarinet “I Remember You” from *Motion* (Verve, 1961)
- “I always liked ‘two not one’ with Warne Marsh. Nice melody” — Luther Wong, trumpet "Two Not One" from *Lee Konitz with Warne Marsh* (Atlantic, 1955)
- “I'm going to go with Lennie Bird from Live at The Half Note. This record holds a special place in my heart for a number of reasons - Lee and Warne are obviously two big heroes of mine, for one, and the rest of band is quite interesting - Jimmy Garrison (!!) and Paul Motian, woah (Bill Evans also makes a couple appearances).” — Casey Berman, saxophone, bass clarinet "Lennie Bird" from *Live at the Half Note* (Verve, 1959)
- “The Italian ballads record he did with Stefani Battaglia has some serious vibe. Parlami d’amore Mariù is a good one.” — Rachel Housle, percussion, drum set |
"Parlami d'amore Mariù" from *Konitz - Battaglia Italian Ballads, Vol. 1* (Philology, 1993)
- “I’d say his playing on Moon Dreams from Birth of the Cool has always been one of my favorite musical moments...” — Ben Flocks, saxophone Miles Davis - "Moon Dreams" from *Birth of the Cool* (Capitol, 1957)
- “Can I say every track off of ‘Motion’?” — Michael Sachs, clarinet, saxophone "All Of Me" from *Motion* (Verve, 1961)
- "Foolin' Myself" from *Motion* (Verve, 1961)
- "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" from *Motion* (Verve, 1961)
- "I'll Remember April" from *Motion* (Verve, 1961)
- “’You Go to My Head’ off Subconscious-Lee. He hints at the melody at the beginning then it's all about interplay and improvising before it just kind of ends.” — Tristan Cooley, flute "You Got To My Head" from *Subconscious-Lee* (Prestige, 1955)
- “ ‘Ablution’ from Live @ Storyville - super catchy melodies even though complex, relentless feel good swinging and pithy solos” — Nick Jozwiak, cello, double bass "Ablution" from *Lee Konitz at Storyville*
- “kind of a weird pick but how about ‘Rebecca’?? from Subconscious-Lee. such a weird cut, floats across the grid diagonally. really deep tune.” — Derek Baron, percussion "Rebecca" from *Subconscious-Lee* (Prestige, 1955)
- “I think for me it’s gotta be 317 E 32nd from Live at the Half Note. “ — Jason Burger, percussion | "317 E 32nd" from *Live at the Half Note* (Verve, 1959)
- “My daughter picked ‘Marshmallow’ because she likes the name and the fast saxophone. I added two guitar duet pieces and Lee’s infamous scat singing over ‘Darn That Dream’ to round out the mix, as well as his final recorded work: ‘Blues’.” — Tom Csatari, guitar "Marshmallow" from *Subconscious-Lee* (Prestige, 1955)
- "Darn That Dream" from *Frescalto* (Impulse!, 2017)
- "Duet For Saxophone & Guitar" from *Conception* (Prestige, 1956)
- Lee Konitz Nonet - "Blues" from *Old Songs New* (Sunnyside, 2018)
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