Lee Konitz

United States

"An airy yet intricate tapestry unfolds with each note, characterized by delicate pacing and a deliberate interplay between melody and silence."

Start here

Begin with Lee Konitz…

Four Keys

1979

Play this

Career Arc

Lee Konitz's discography from 1953 to 2014

1953 1983 2014

Lee Konitz Plays (1953) Jazz at Storyville (1954) Konitz (1954) Lee Konitz in Harvard Squ... (1954) Lee Konitz with Warne Mar... (1955) Subconscious-Lee (1955) Inside Hi-Fi (1956) Lee Konitz Plays with the... (1957) Very Cool (1957) The Real Lee Konitz (1957) An Image: Lee Konitz with... (1958) You and Lee (1959) Lee Konitz Meets Jimmy Gi... (1959) Motion (1961) European Episode (1968) Impressive Rome (1968) Stereokonitz (1968) Alto Summit (1968) The Lee Konitz Duets (1968) Peacemeal (1970)

Lee Konitz matters because his presence in the jazz landscape has redefined the role of the improvising musician, emphasizing a more cerebral and introspective approach to the genre.

Lee Konitz matters because his presence in the jazz landscape has redefined the role of the improvising musician, emphasizing a more cerebral and introspective approach to the genre. Through his distinctive sound on the alto saxophone, he has influenced generations of musicians to prioritize individual expression over mere technical prowess, creating a lasting impact on both players and listeners alike. Konitz's innovation lies in his ability to intertwine cool jazz sensibilities with an avant-garde touch, often exploring melodies that are intricate yet spacious. His process is marked by a conversational style of improvisation, where spontaneity meets deep musical intuition, allowing him to navigate through complex harmonic frameworks with ease. This approach invites listeners into a dialogue rather than a performance, creating an immersive experience that feels both personal and expansive. Lyrically unbound by traditional structures, Konitz often channels themes of introspection and emotional depth through his instrumental storytelling. His tone oscillates between reflective and playful, effortlessly weaving together strands of irony and sincerity. Each phrase carries a weight that leaves room for interpretation, inviting audiences to find their own meanings within the music’s subtle nuances.

Full discography

Lee Konitz's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

69 releases • 69 albums • 1953–2014

Type:

Albums ()

First Meeting – Live in London Volume 1

2014

Standards Live – At the Village Vanguard

2014

Costumes Are Mandatory

2013

Live in Genoa 1981

2013

Live at Birdland

2011

Duos with Lee

2009

Ashiya

2008

Live in Oslo

2007

Organic-Lee

2006

Pride

2000

Sound of Surprise

1999

Another Shade of Blue

1999

Dig-It

1999

Star Eyes, Hamburg 1983

1998

RichLee!

1998

Alone Together

1997

Dearly Beloved

1997

It's You

1996

Thingin

1996

Steps Towards a Dream

1995

Live at the Half Note

1994

Lullaby of Birdland

1994

Jazz Nocturne

1994

Lunasea

1992

Zounds

1991

Blew

1989

Art of the Duo

1988

The New York Album

1988

Solitudes

1988

Ideal Scene

1986

Glad, Koonix! – Lee Konitz Live in Sweden

1986

Dovetail

1983

Live at the Berlin Jazz Days 1980

1982

Toot Sweet

1982

Seasons Change

1980

Four Keys

1979

Yes, Yes, Nonet

1979

Duplicity

1978

Tenorlee

1978

Lee Konitz Meets Warne Marsh Again

1977

Pyramid

1977

Figure & Spirit

1977

The Lee Konitz Quintet

1977

Windows

1976

Lone-Lee

1975

Satori

1975

Chicago 'n All That Jazz

1975

Oleo

1975

Spirits

1971

Peacemeal

1970

European Episode

1968

Impressive Rome

1968

Stereokonitz

1968

Alto Summit

1968

The Lee Konitz Duets

1968

Motion

1961

You and Lee

1959

Lee Konitz Meets Jimmy Giuffre

1959

An Image: Lee Konitz with Strings

1958

Lee Konitz Plays with the Gerry Mulligan Quartet

1957

Very Cool

1957

The Real Lee Konitz

1957

Inside Hi-Fi

1956

Lee Konitz with Warne Marsh

1955

Subconscious-Lee

1955

Jazz at Storyville

1954

Konitz

1954

Lee Konitz in Harvard Square

1954

Lee Konitz Plays

1953

No releases match the current filters.

Like Lee Konitz? Try these next

Similar artists with their own starting points

Timeline

How their sound evolved over time

Lee Konitz Plays (1953)

Jazz at Storyville (1954)

Konitz (1954)

Lee Konitz in Harvar... (1954)

Lee Konitz with Warn... (1955)

Subconscious-Lee (1955)

Inside Hi-Fi (1956)

Lee Konitz Plays with the Gerry Mulligan Quartet

Lee Konitz Plays wit... (1957)

Very Cool (1957)

The Real Lee Konitz (1957)

An Image: Lee Konitz... (1958)

You and Lee (1959)

Lee Konitz Meets Jim... (1959)

Motion (1961)

European Episode (1968)

Impressive Rome (1968)

Stereokonitz (1968)

Alto Summit (1968)

The Lee Konitz Duets (1968)

Chicago 'n All That... (1975)

Oleo (1975)

Windows (1976)

Lee Konitz Meets War... (1977)

Pyramid (1977)

Figure & Spirit (1977)

The Lee Konitz Quint... (1977)

Duplicity (1978)

Tenorlee (1978)

Four Keys (1979)

Yes, Yes, Nonet (1979)

Seasons Change (1980)

Live at the Berlin J... (1982)

Toot Sweet (1982)

Dovetail (1983)

Ideal Scene (1986)

Glad, Koonix! – Lee Konitz Live in Sweden

Glad, Koonix! – Lee... (1986)

Art of the Duo (1988)

The New York Album (1988)

Live at the Half Not... (1994)

Lullaby of Birdland (1994)

Jazz Nocturne (1994)

Steps Towards a Drea... (1995)

It's You (1996)

Thingin (1996)

Alone Together (1997)

Dearly Beloved (1997)

Star Eyes, Hamburg 1... (1998)

RichLee! (1998)

Sound of Surprise (1999)

Another Shade of Blu... (1999)

Live at Birdland (2011)

Costumes Are Mandato... (2013)

Live in Genoa 1981 (2013)

First Meeting – Live... (2014)

Standards Live – At the Village Vanguard

Standards Live – At... (2014)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lee Konitz sound like?

An airy yet intricate tapestry unfolds with each note, characterized by delicate pacing and a deliberate interplay between melody and silence. Rooted in bebop. Start with Steps Towards a Dream.

What is the best Lee Konitz album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Steps Towards a Dream" (1995). It's the most representative of what makes Lee Konitz worth hearing.

Who is Lee Konitz for?

If you're into bebop, Lee Konitz is worth your time. An airy yet intricate tapestry unfolds with each note, characterized by delicate pacing and a deliberate interplay between melody and silence.

How many albums does Lee Konitz have?

Lee Konitz has 69 releases in their discography, including 69 albums.

Apple Music Spotify Wikipedia