Lee Konitz - The Lee Konitz Duets (1967)

Tracklist

01 - Struttin' With Some Barbecue
02 - You Don't Know What Love Is
03 - Variations On Alone Together
04 - Checkerboard
05 - Erb
06 - Tickle Toe
07 - Duplexity
08 - Alphanumeric

personnel :

Lee Konitz - alto, tenor, baritone, & Varitone saxophones
Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone
Richie Kamuca - tenor saxophone
Ray Nance - violin
Karl Berger - vibraphone
Dick Katz - piano
Jim Hall - guitar
Eddie Gomez - bass
Elvin Jones - drum
Marshall Brown - trombone

This CD brings back one of altoist Lee Konitz's greatest sessions. In 1967 he recorded a series of very diverse duets, all of which succeed on their own terms. Konitz is matched with valve trombonist Marshall Brown on a delightful version of "Struttin' With Some Barbecue" and matches wits with the tenor of Joe Henderson on "You Don't Know What Love Is." He plays "Checkerboard" with pianist Dick Katz, "Erb" with guitarist Jim Hall, "Tickle Toe" with the tenor of Richie Kamuca (Konitz switches to tenor on that cut), and an adventurous and fairly free "Duplexity" with violinist Ray Nance. Konitz also has three different duets on "Alone Together" and, on "Alphanumeric," welcomes practically everyone back for a final blowout. The music ranges from Dixieland to bop and free, and is consistently fascinating. ~ Scott Yanow