LEE KONITZ - Live at the Half Note (1959-1994) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The music on this two-CD set has a strange history. Pianist Lennie Tristano had a rare reunion with altoist Lee Konitz and tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh (his two greatest "students") during an extended stay at the Half Note in 1959. Tristano took Tuesday nights off to teach and Bill Evans was his substitute, but the pianist had a couple of those performances recorded for posterity. While listening to his tapes years later, he was so impressed with Marsh's playing that he sent edited versions (comprised entirely of the tenor man's solos) to Marsh, and somehow they ended up being released in that form by the Revelation label. In 1994, the unedited music was finally issued by Verve; the consistently exciting playing by Konitz, Marsh, and Evans (with backup by bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Paul Motian) makes one wonder what took so long. They perform a dozen extended standards (or "originals" based on the chord changes of familiar tunes) with creativity and inspiration. In fact, of all the Konitz-Marsh recordings, this set ranks near the top. Scott Yanow
Tracklist 1 :
1     Palo Alto 9:13
Lee Konitz
2     How About You? 9:15
Ralph Freed / Burton Lane
3     My Melancholy Baby 6:54
Ernie Burnett / George Norton
4     Scrapple from the Apple 7:53
Charlie Parker
5     You Stepped Out of a Dream 7:39
Nacio Herb Brown / Gus Kahn
6     317 East 32nd Street 7:44
Lennie Tristano
Tracklist 2 :        
1     April 8:44
Lennie Tristano
2     It's You or No One 8:09
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
3     Just Friends 5:40
John Klenner / Sam M. Lewis
4     Baby, Baby All the Time 8:31
Bobby Troup
5     Lennie-Bird 8:39
Lennie Tristano
6     Subconscious Lee 7:41
Lee Konitz
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone, Producer [Original Recordings] – Lee Konitz
Bass – Jimmy Garrison
Drums – Paul Motian
Piano – Bill Evans
Tenor Saxophone – Warne Marsh