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Lee Konitz

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Musician

The Resume

    (October 13, 1927-April 15, 2020)
    Born in Chicago, Illinois
    Birth name was Leon Konitz
    Jazz saxophonist
    Played with Claude Thornhill, Lennie Tristano, Miles Davis, Gerry Mulligan, and Stan Kenton
    Recorded the albums ‘Subconscious-Lee’ (1955), ‘The Real Lee Konitz’ (1957), ‘An Image: Lee Konitz with Strings’ (1958), ‘You and Lee’ (1959), ‘Motion’ (1961), ‘The Lee Konitz Duets’ (1967), ‘Spirits’ (1971), ‘Lone-Lee’ (1974), ‘Heroes’ (with Gil Evans, 1980), ‘Anti-Heroes’ (with Gil Evans, 1980), ‘The New York Album’ (1987), ‘Zounds’ (1990), ‘Free with Lee’ (1993), ‘Alone Together’ (1996), ‘Organic-Lee’ (with Gary Versace, 2006), ‘GRACEfulLEE’ (with Grace Kelly, 2008), ‘Knowing Lee’ (with Dave Leibman, 2011), ‘Prisma’ (2018), and ‘Old Songs New’ (2019)

Why he might be annoying:

    He regretted turning down a chance to join Benny Goodman’s band.
    He had a fondness for replacing ‘-ly’ with ‘Lee’ in album titles.
    He was an introvert who was uncomfortable in the spotlight.
    One critic noted about his cerebral, understated style, ‘He can sound as if he’s permanently in monotone.’

Why he might not be annoying:

    He participated in Miles Davis’ legendary ‘Birth of the Cool’ sessions.
    He was called the most influential alto saxophonist since Charlie Parker.
    He devoted much of his time to teaching jazz workshops and clinics.
    He was named a NEA Jazz Master (2009).
    He remained prolific into his 90s.
    He said, ‘I’m constantly amazed still at the miracle of improvising.’

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 81.82% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 13 Votes: 38.46% Annoying