Even for a saxophonist as far ranging as Lee Konitz, his Palmetto debut as a leader is a unique project. Lee Konitz and the Axis String Quartet Play French Impressionist Music From the 20th Century brings together one of the most lyrically inventive improvisers in jazz with a classical string quartet to interpret the music of 20th century French composers such as Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and...
Even for a saxophonist as far ranging as Lee Konitz, his Palmetto debut as a leader is a unique project. Lee Konitz and the Axis String Quartet Play French Impressionist Music From the 20th Century brings together one of the most lyrically inventive improvisers in jazz with a classical string quartet to interpret the music of 20th century French composers such as Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Erik Satie.
Unlike many other attempts to blend classical interpretation and jazz improvisation, this album manages to honor both traditions equally. The breathtaking artistic tightrope act is made possible by the unique qualifications of the musicians involved. Arranger Ohad Talmor first met Konitz in 1990 in Geneva, Switzerland, where the Israeli native was living and going to school. In 1994 and 1995, they toured Europe with a large ensemble including four strings, five horns, and rhythm section, to perform Talmor's ambitious "Suite for Lee Konitz." Konitz has also performed with Talmor's septet. Talmor moved to New York in 1995 to study composition at the Manhattan School of Music and has remained there ever since. Besides composing and arranging, he is also a talented tenor saxophonist who has performed or recorded with Dave Douglas, Joel Frahm, Chris Potter, Chris Speed, Jim Black, and Roy Nathanson's Dark Star Lounge Big Band. He leads The Other Quartet and the M.O.B. Trio, which features bassist Bob Bowen and drummer Matt Wilson.
Alto saxophonist Lee Konitz has enjoyed one of the most creative and prolific careers in modern jazz. After early experience with Stan Kenton's orchestra, the innovative small groups of pianist Lennie Tristano, and the Miles Davis "Birth of the Cool" nonet, Konitz turned freelance and has remained on the cutting edge of post-bop improvisation ever since. He has occasionally led a nonet and various quartets, but his exceptionally large and varied discography includes an early unaccompanied saxophone solo album, several memorable duets with pianists, several innovative albums of duets that spanned jazz styles, and an appearance with English free improviser Derek Bailey. He's recorded with strings before, but with the possible exception of his classic 1958 Verve album An Image, no previous Konitz strings album is as ambitious in conception.
Founded in 1999 by cellist-composer Catherine Bent, the Axis String Quartet puts traditional instrumentation and classical training at the service of new and adventurous music. Through their collaboration with jazz artists such as Lee Konitz, they seek to explore the boundaries of written and improvised music
The members of the quartet have played music that spans nearly every genre. Catherine Bent (cello) plays frequently on Broadway and in local orchestras as varied as the New York Ragtime Orchestra and the contemporary music SEM Ensemble. She has toured with Cirque du Soleil's Quidam and Irish singer-songwriter Susan McKeown, and has recorded with Joan Osborne, Soul Coughing, and Anthony Braxton, among others. Rob Thomas (violin) is both a bassist and a violinist. As a bassist, he has performed with Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Mose Allison, and others. On violin, he performs and records with The Jazz Passengers and the charanga band, Los Jovenes del Barrio. He has also worked with Tito Puente, Max Roach, Claude Williams, The Soldier String Quartet, and The String Trio of New York. Tokyo native Meg Okura (violin) earned her MA at the Juiliiard School. She has served as concertmaster of the American String Orchestra and the Asian Youth Orchestra, conducted by Lukas Foss, and was the featured soloist on the latter's Asian Tour in 1992. She currently fronts her own group, a blend of pop, jazz, and new age music. Judith Insell-Staack (viola) has performed in various symphonies and several Broadway shows. She also has toured the world with the Soldier String Quartet and with Robert Dick. She has recorded with many popular artists, including Paula Cole, Antonio Hart, Elliot Sharp, and contributed to several movie soundtracks. A committed teacher, Judith has also headed the string department at the Bloomingdale School of Music since 1994.
