At the age of sixteen, Lee Konitz plays the viola with Jerry Wald. In New York, Miles Davis' Tuba Band welcomed him, while with Lennie Tristano he recorded Intuition. Back on the American continent after a stay in Europe, he made new recordings with Warne Marsh, himself a disciple of Tristano. He returned to the old continent again in 1956, during which time he recorded with Gerry Mulligan and Gil Evans.
His musical evolution leads him to privilege the duo through numerous recordings with Joe Henderson, Richie Kamuca, Jim Hall, Ray Nance, Elvin Jones.
In 1983, he pays a tribute to Gil Evans at the New York Jazz Festival. In 1992, he received the Jazzpar Prize in Copenhagen.
Lee Konitz plays a Mark VI alto saxophone.
Photo credit : Schorle - Brian McMillen
