Konitz Tepfer Janisch Williams: Live in London Volume 1

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Michael Janisch (b, el b)
Lee Konitz (reeds)
Dan Tepfer (p)
Jeff Williams (d)

Label:

Whirlwind Recordings

July/2014

Catalogue Number:

WR4638

RecordDate:

May 2010

The 86-year-old saxophonist Lee Konitz was in relentless form performing at the London Jazz Festival only last year. He'd lost none of his sonic power (even playing acoustically) or audacious intent, and there was an example to young jazz musicians of how to create so much out of so little. So it's no surprise, on this recording captured in a set four years previously as part of US London-based bassist and Whirlwind Records head honcho Michael Janisch's residence at the Soho Pizza Express Jazz Club, that he's still pulling fresh improvisational rabbits out of the hat even if he doesn't always reach the dizzy heights of last year's London concert. He has the young French, New York-based pianist Dan Tepfer for company. Impressing as a recent duo partner of Konitz, Tepfer is a resourceful classical-influenced musician (his mentor is Martial Solal and his Goldberg Variations/Variations from his 2011 CD is something to look out for at this year's London Jazz Festival) and obviously an inspiring catalyst and foil to the veteran master. The set material was selected spontaneously yet brought up some familiar tunes in Konitz's canon. Shifting through standards from Bird's ‘Billie's Bounce’ to inventively recycled Konitz vehicles such as ‘Stella by Starlight’ and ‘Alone Together’ through to an original by his mentor, the Tristano-inspired theme ‘Subconscious Lee’.

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