Lee Konitz with the Hutchinson/Andrew Trio

It doesn’t get much better than this! One of the true legends of jazz on the stage of our Esplanade Theatre with one of Canada’s top young trios. Alto saxophonist Lee Konitz was a part of Miles Davis’s Birth of the Cool Nonet, and has played and recorded for 6 decades with nearly every great player in jazz including the Claude Thornhill and Stan Kenton Orchestras.

Lee studied with Lennie Tristano, who had a big influence on his conception and approach to improvising. It has long been noted that Lee was performing at the same time as another great alto player, Charlie Parker, and was one of the few who managed to forge his own sound and style while everybody was being compared to Parker.

Lee’s sound is light and searching, like a Lester Young on alto. But Lee is not afraid to explore and probe either, and so his playing has remained ever fresh over these many years of leading and collaborating.

His 50 odd recordings range from cool bop to more improvised based explorations. He has recorded with everybody from Gerry Mulligan to Warne Marsh, and now in his 80s this giant of jazz is still going strong.

Listen to Lee Konitz

Joining Lee for this Medicine Hat performance is the Hutchinson/Andrew Trio. This “best of Alberta” ensemble has impressed Medicine Hat audiences already with their creative writing, technical command and tight ensemble playing. The trio is made up of Kodi Hutchinson on bass, Chris Andrew, winner of the 2008 CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award on piano and Sandro Dominelli on drums. Lee Konitz and the Hutchinson/Andrew Trio appear in double bill with another legend, pianist Monty Alexander.

Listen to Hutchinson/Andrews Trio

Wednesday, June 25
4:00 PM Workshop
2nd floor lobby - Esplanade -
$5 at the door.

Thursday, June 26
7:30 PM
Esplanade Theatre
Lee Konitz with the Hutchinson-Andrew Trio/Monty Alexander -
$35