DCist Preview: Lee Konitz @ Kennedy Center
Feeling the limitations of the jazz combo format that was prevalent in the late 1940s, Miles Davis assembled a nonet to play music that allowed for more orchestration and color, while still maintaining the improvisational elements of that era's be-bop sound. With orchestrations from the great arranger Gil Evans, as well as band members Gerry Mulligan and John Lewis, the band performed briefly in the fall of 1948. But it wasn't until 1949 that the group entered the studio to record what would become Birth of the Cool, a seminal recording that kicked off a movement that became known as "cool jazz."
Among this group of talented musicians was alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, who will be performing on Saturday at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater. Just in his early 20s at the time, Konitz was chosen for the Cool band because of his distinctive sound, in a period when most alto players were trying to emulate Charlie Parker. His warm tone and fluid style not only made him an appropriate choice for Davis's band, but also allowed him to become one of the great exponents of the cool jazz movement. Over the subsequent 60 years, Konitz has maintained a high level of musicianship, recording dozens of albums as a leader and earning the title of Jazz Master from the National Endowment for the Arts.
"I stay fresh by trying to to find another angle and juxtaposition in the music," Konitz told DCist during a recent interview. "Here I am after all these years, and I can still play a different version of 'All the Things You Are.'"
Konitz does not have a full time group, but rather plays with different ensembles from city to city–an approach which he says keeps things interesting for him.
"I don't choose to spend time rehearsing," said Konitz. "It's kind of not a show, so much as an opportunity to experience guys playing together and sounding fresh in the process."
Konitz also mixes things up by consistently surrounding himself with young voices. He performs regularly in New York with up-and-coming pianist Dan Tepfer, and for Saturday's performance, he will be performing with Minsarah, an impressive trio comprised of German pianist Florian Weber, Israeli drummer Ziv Ravitz, and D.C. area native Jeff Denson on bass.
Konitz, who is now 82 years-old, canceled several performances this year due to medical reasons, but shows no signs of slowing down over the next several months. He has booked shows through next spring, which include performing Birth of the Cool with a Dutch big band, and residencies at New York's top clubs with the likes of pianist Brad Mehldau and drummer Paul Motian.
With such an impressive career, it is no surprise that Konitz is taking some time to look back and reflect on his accomplishments.
"I've been listening to my own music a lot lately," he said. "I'm enjoying experiencing it away from playing it."
Lee Konitz and Minsarah will perform 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater. Tickets are $35.