Featured Book: Lee Konitz: Conversations on the Improviser's Art

Author: Andy Hamilton

Publisher: University of Michigan Press

Year Published: 2007

Type: Biography

Format / Pages: / 284 pages

Review:

As an oral biography, this book ranks among the top ones written about jazz musicians.  The well-written book gives an in depth look at one of the world's great jazz saxophonists, Lee Konitz.

With a foreword by jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano, this book offers everything known about the great skills and talents of Lee Konitz.The reader is given an understanding of Lee Konitz's life and his music. Much detail is given concerning Konitz's personal insights into his musical education. Much information is shared with the reader about Konitz's association with Lennie Tristano who influenced Konitz's style, and Konitz's experiences with Miles Davis, Stan Kenton, Warne Marsh, Charles Mingus, Bud Powell, and Bill Evans. 

Lee Konitz has long been admired for his eclectic and masterful style of saxophone performance. He was one of the few saxophonists of his generation to forge a powerful, enduring style independent of the influences of Charlie Parker. A remarkable performer, Konitz did much to encourage young jazz musicians and promote the sound of jazz music. The numerous jazz compositions of Konitz, such as "Moon" and "Springin," are mileposts in his career as a jazz composer. The reader will find the many photographs in the book interesting!

Lee Konitz started his career during the late 1940s with the Claude Thornhill Band. He has appeared on such labels as Prestige, Atlantic, Verve, and Polydor.

With notes and index, this is a fine resource book for those interested in the life and performances of Lee Konitz. Andy Hamilton has put together a fine biography, and his ability to capture the essence of Lee Konitz through frank, honest interviews further adds to the excellence of this memorable jazz book. Highly recommended, and a reading delight for jazz fans!

Additional Information: Check it out @ Amazon.com

ISBN: 9780472032174

Reviewed by: Lee Prosser

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