Search - Lee Konitz, Gerry Mulligan :: Konitz Meets Mulligan

A Quirky Summit

Tom Schusterbauer | West Bloomfield, Michigan United States | 12/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"O.K., so it's mono. And, for much of the recording, Mulligan's quartet seems simply to be backing Konitz. But hang on, this is a marvelous little gem. Mulligan on the bari, Konitz on alto, and--yes--Chet baker on trumpet. How can you pass this up?But this is more than an artifact. This is jazz at its spontaneous and inventive best. Konitz, freed from Stan Kenton, has all sorts of new ideas about these old standards. And, for many of the cuts, as Lee explores the possibilities, you can hear Mulligan purring far in the background (mono, remember), and, every once in a while, moving to the foreground to make a few statements of his own. These two jazz minds talk to each other, tease each other,support and--in a gentle way--challenge each other.And, of course, in a few cuts, Baker's sweet trumpet announces itself and joins the two sax players in their explorations. The now-unheralded but extremely deft Carson Smith takes on most of the bass responsibilities, and provides--along with Larry Bunker on drums--a solid stage for Baker, Mulligan, and Konitz to swing on.Mulligan, Konitz, and Baker, of course, went their separate ways, Konitz and Mulligan to long and brilliant careers, Baker to a briefer, tragic, but still shining career. This, then, was a moment in time, and is now your chance to catch these giants sharing a stage, playing for and with one another, showing admiration and affection for each other's talents and ideas.Mono--so what? This is a treasure from the vaults of Pacific Jazz. It's bargain priced, but at any price, it's a bargain."

Music You Can Touch

H. J. Sandford | Yorkshire, England | 06/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm quite partial to a Lee Konitz cd now that I have discovered his amazing talent. I came across him quite by chance at the annual Hull Jazz festival and was totally wowed by his talent. Mr Konitz has produced a vast array of albums that can be quite daunting but dont be put off - this man has immense talent. I had the great pleasure of conversing with him during the interval when I asked him to autograph what became my first Lee Konitz cd - this one! I have to say I am biased as this cd brings happy memories of such a gentle and unassuming man but if you like sax you cant help but love this album. I love the feeling it gives you of being right there in the room while he is playing - the sort of music you can almost touch - truely magical."

Excellent CD

Joost Daalder | South Australia | 09/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At the time these tracks were recorded, both Konitz and Mulligan were among the very best saxophone players alive, as indeed they remained for many years after. And the two intermingle and inspire each other wonderfully here. Mulligan's music, as usual, is characterised by great clarity and "logic", forceful and emotionally satisfying, impeccably performed and always highly musical. Much the same can be said for Konitz, who however is "harder on the ear" in bringing to bear a greater complexity, but of a rewarding kind, as it results from a richly inventive musical mind. Hs music, though demanding, is never difficult just for the sake of it, and certainly not just "cerebral". These tracks, together with his work with Wayne Marsh, feature some of his best and most sensational work. A great CD to own, which will bring permanent pleasure! - Joost Daalder"