LEE KONITZ AND MINSARAH - Deep Lee (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The history of jazz is full of ultra-gifted but self-destructive musicians who should have had very long careers, but instead died much too young (Charlie Parker, Fats Navarro, Bix Beiderbecke, among countless others). But that certainly isn't true of Lee Konitz, who turned 80 on October 13, 2007. One cannot accuse Konitz of not living up to his potential or wasting his considerable talent; the alto saxophonist started recording in the late '40s and remained impressively productive 60 years later in the late 2000s. Deep Lee was recorded in September 2007 (when Konitz was 79) and finds him joining forces with the acoustic piano trio Minsarah, which consists of Florian Weber on piano, Jeff Denson on upright bass, and Ziv Ravitz on drums. Konitz enjoys a strong rapport with the members of Minsarah, who are young enough to be his grandchildren -- and their encounter yields rewarding post-bop results on an album that is dominated by original material. Konitz has a long history of excelling on Tin Pan Alley standards, but the only Tin Pan Alley warhorse on Deep Lee is "Stella by Starlight"; Konitz, true to form, offers a version that is warm and lyrical but not overly sentimental. And once again, the cool-toned saxophonist demonstrates that cool doesn't mean cold. Konitz also demonstrates that his chops have held up nicely over the years; at 79 bordering on 80, Konitz is clearly very much on top of his game. Deep Lee falls short of essential, but even so, this hourlong CD is a rewarding example of the veteran altoist continuing to excel in his senior years. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1     Invention 3'03
Florian Weber
2     Chorale 1'27
Florian Weber
3     Canon 7'17
Florian Weber
4     Deep Lee 6'44
Lee Konitz
5     Stella by Starlight 5'38
Ned Washington / Victor Young
6     Cactus 5'47
 Ziv Ravitz
7     As the Smoke Clears
Jeff Denson
8     W 86th 7'27     
Florian Weber
9    See the World for the First Time 3:08
 Ziv Ravitz
10     Color 5'11
Florian Weber
11     Spiders 6'17
Jeff Denson
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Jeff Denson
Drums – Ziv Ravitz
Piano – Florian Weber

LEE KONITZ NEW QUARTET - Live At The Village Vanguard (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Well into his eighties, alto saxophone grand master Lee Konitz continues to come up with fresh approaches playing modern mainstream jazz with an edge. Teamed here with the multi-national trio dubbed Minsarah, Konitz is reunited with German pianist Florian Weber, himself an iconoclast and progressive thinker. Recorded at the historic Village Vanguard in N.Y.C. on two separate nights gives any prepared listener all the challenges and satisfaction one could ask from the vaunted and still viable Konitz. If you've heard a thousand versions of the bop flag waver "Cherokee," perhaps the East Indian-flavored and churning rendition by Konitz and his charges will enlighten you. Originals like the pensive but easy swinger "Subconscious-Lee" or the soul/spirit song "Kay's Trance" will convince you that the saxophonist is still quite capable of digging in and standing his ground, physically or emotionally. While a variation of "All The Things You Are" that Konitz has dubbed "Thingin'" always hits the mark with deft chord substitutions, it is never played the same way twice . Whether in fleet bop constructs, breathy but concise long tones, or choppy off-minor phrases, Konitz always makes sure that every single note counts. Weber's feature "Color" sans the alto, has the pianist stretching out in morning dew refrains then cutting loose, and again backing down dynamically in complete command of his instrument. Bassist Jeff Denson (from San Diego) and drummer Ziv Ravitz (a native of Israel) round out the New Quartet, supplying Konitz with grace or firepower galore on this impressive recording that hopefully yields follow-up volumes, either from the Vanguard or other hallowed grounds. Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1     Cherokee 5'41
Ray Noble
2     Subconscious-Lee 8'57
Lee Konitz
3     I Remember You 10'52
Johnny Mercer / Victor Schertzinger
4     Polka Dots and Moonbeams 6'07
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
5     Color 6:13
Florian Weber
6     Kary's Trance 8:56
Lee Konitz
7     Thingin' 11'37
Lee Konitz
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Jeff Denson
Drums – Ziv Ravitz
Piano – Florian Weber

LEE KONITZ - Standards Live : At the Village Vanguard (2019) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Recorded in 2009, Standards Live: At the Village Vanguard features veteran saxophonist Lee Konitz performing with his quartet at the storied New York venue. Backing Konitz here is an adept ensemble featuring pianist Florian Weber, bassist Jeff Denson, and drummer Ziv Ravitz. This is a swinging, straight-ahead set of standard songs showcasing Konitz's probing, heartfelt jazz style. Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1     The Song Is You 9:33
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
2     Sky Lark 6:34
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
3     In Your Own Sweet Way 9:44
Dave Brubeck
4     Just Friends 9:06
John Klenner / Sam M. Lewis
5     Stella by Starlight 9:41
Ned Washington / Victor Young
6     I Love You 10:13
Cole Porter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Jeff Denson
Drums – Ziv Ravitz
Piano – Florian Weber