Lee Konitz has long been one of the most distinctive sounding alto saxophonists in jazz, with a cool yet dry tone. He guests with the
Mark Masters Ensemble on this 2002 studio session, which concentrates on
Masters' arrangements of his originals, many of which are based upon standards. The guest is the primary soloist, though each member of the big band is featured at some point. "Thingin',"
Konitz's well-known reworking of "All the Things You Are," features its composer, trumpeter
Steve Huffstetter, and pianist
Cecilia Coleman. "Dream Stepper" (based on "You Stepped Out of a Dream") features terrific interplay between
Konitz and fellow alto saxophonist
Gary Foster. The intricate "317 East 32nd Street," a brilliant piece inspired by "Out of Nowhere," finds
Konitz in a humorous mood.
Konitz is the lone soloist in the one outright standard of the date, which incorporates his orchestrated solo from a 1953 recording with
Gerry Mulligan. The finale, "Palo Alto," begins with a pulsing rhythm before taking off into an adventurous, demanding chart which the musicians interpret flawlessly.
Lee Konitz had high praise for
Mark Masters' scoring of his works, and the obvious pleasure had by everyone involved in the making of this recording is readily apparent to the listener. ~ Ken Dryden