Lee Konitz is one of the most influential alto saxophone players in the development of modern jazz.
His career started back in the '40s with the Teddy Powell band, before collaborating with Miles Davies and the Stan Kenton Orchestra.
Like many other jazz players of that period the influence of Charlie Parker was very prominent in Konitz playing style in the early years. But building on that early influence Konitz has gone on to develop his own very unique sound.
At the turn of the '50's he worked with Miles Davies on the influential album Birth of the Cool. He was instrumental in the development of this 'cool' playing style and is today considered the epitome of this style with its smooth understated tone and long melodic lines.
© 2012 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales