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Musicians: Lee Konitz as, Kenny Wheeler tp,fl-h, Frank Wunsch p, Gunnar Plümer b
Recording date: November 1999
Recording place: Birdland, Neuburg
Here two great masters in jazz have met each other. The trumpet player and composer Kenny Wheller and saxophonist Lee Konitz. Kenny Wheeler was born 1930 near Toronto Canada. Since the 50’s he is living in London. He was playing together with such greats like Mike Gibbs, Anthony Braxton ,John Taylor, John Abercrombie and Jan Gabarek. Kenny Wheeler has long been one of the most advanced voices on his instrument.
Blessed with a full, lovely tone and an astounding range, Wheeler sounds equally at home in fiery free jazz explorations or softer, more lyrical post-bop meditations.
The saxophonplayer Lee Koniz is born in Chicago, Illinois on October 13 1927. After studying the clarinet and the tenor saxophone, he pursues with the alto, with Jerry Wald, since age of 16. Having met, in Chicago, Lennie Tristano, in the mid 40ties and studying with him, he joins Claude Thornhill (1947-8), with whom he did his first recordings.
Konitz play with such famous musicians like Miles Davis ,Stan Kenton ,Joe Henderson and Jimmy Guifre. Beside Lee Koniz and Kenny Wheller you can hear the pianist Frank Wunsch and the bassist Grunnar Plumer.
Kenny Wheeler is one of the jazz trumpet players who have a very lyrical way of expression. On this recording he found in saxophone player Lee Konitz someone who is speaking a similar langugage. Together with Frank Wunsch und Gunnar Plumer they are celebrating classical jazz of ist best.
On none of the tracks you can hear a drummer. This makes the music very relaxed and nice sounding. This relaxed atmosphere is the foundation for the great musical conversation between Lee Konitz and Kenny Wheeler. Sometimes piano player Frank Wunsch takes the ideas of this great wind players and plays very emotional soli.
Lyrical! This is really the best word to describe this music.
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