Lee Konitz with Alan Broadbent

Alto saxophonist Lee Konitz is still (at 73 on this October 2000 gig) not a household name, in spite of having been (along with Gerry Mulligan) a part of the “Miles Davis Birth of the Cool” sessions of 1949-50. Like the better-known Mulligan, Konitz loves to play and has made dozens of albums over the years; he also likes the challenge of the duo format and has recorded several—primarily with pianists. This is the companion CD to last year’s Live-Lee (also on Milestone); both recorded at L.A.’s Jazz Bakery, where he teamed up with pianist Alan Broadbent, like Konitz a student of pianist Lennie Tristano. Konitz, along with Paul Desmond, was never part of the bop brigade, each preferring instead to explore music in his own leisurely way. Konitz plays with a dry passion, which makes for music that’s more cerebral than foot pattin’. Broadbent’s ideas mesh perfectly with Konitz’s, making this a perfect pairing; a special treat is “How Deep Is the Ocean,” in particular Broadbent’s intro and solo.