Customer Reviews

Sound of Surprise

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As a student of Lee Konitz's I came to appreciate his artistry and consummate integrity which he has consistently demonstrated throughout his career. His most recent release, "Sound of Surprise" is an excellent example of his skills as both an improviser and composer. It is especially gratifying to see Lee featured on a "high profile" label (BMG) where his music will (hopefully) be exposed to a wider audience. As mentioned in the liner notes, Lee's penchant for creating original improvisations that are truly "in the moment" can sometimes yield inconsistent results, but with this session he really conveys his musical philosophy more clearly than I have heard in some of his other recent recordings (is it just me or are there others who wonder why "Another Shade of Blue" was even released?). "Sound of Surprise" is a fine introduction to Lee's music for those unfamiliar with his work and it most definitely belongs in any long-standing Konitz fan's collection.

Since his days with Verve and Milestone Konitz has had a prolific recording career, but one mostly sustained on small labels. They have often served him well, but it's great to see him finally get some recognition from major labels.

This disc assembles a first-rate band to perform a set of Konitz tunes (unusually for him, no standards, though of course many of the tunes are based on standard changes). The band contains Ted Brown, a Tristano-associated tenor-player; John Abercrombie on guitar; Marc Johnson on bass; and Joey Baron on drums.

It's a good album, though I'm not sure it's quite one of Konitz's finest. There's some absorbing blowing on "Hi Beck" & "Thingin'", and a terrific free-jazz piece called "Wingin'". Brown and Abercrombie seem to be having something of a quiet day (& seem to recognize some mutual incompatibility: many of the tracks either lose the tenor or the guitar to make the group a quartet). The most interesting interaction often is that between Konitz & the bass and drums. (Oddly there's little of the twinned-saxophone simultaneous improvisation that one associates with the Tristano School.)

In short, a good disc, well worth picking up. Not quite the best of recent-vintage Konitz--perhaps his work on Kenny Wheeler's _Angel Song_ might be closer to that.

What a fine come back for this great saxophonist - with a truly terrific group - and great compositions to work with. Konitz is so unique among jazz musicians and really stands out - perhaps my favorite on alto. He is accompanied by one of the finest and most original guitarists here in John Abercrombie and supported by a fine rhythm section as well as mr. Brown on tenor. I can't get enough of this truly original album - and a Konitz classic!

A true veteran and classic in the world of jazz Mr Konitz has hopped, skipped and jumped around many labels. This one however is every bit as impressive and is in fact one of his best. His altoist unique dry sound providing an exceptional sound in the field of jazz, this album also having the luxury of rarely recorded tenor saxophonist Ted Brown. Konitz's rarely found improvision of mixing old and new is the making of this supberb cd and I commend it to all Konitz fans and anyone who truely appreciates good sax!