Lee Konitz
Alto Sax Solo on
'Round Midnight

About

Lee Konitz's one-chorus alto saxophone solo opens the improvisation on this intimate trio reading of Monk's most celebrated composition. At 60 BPM over the 32-bar AABA form in E-flat minor, Konitz demonstrates his remarkable ability to reimagine even the most familiar material, his cool, vibratoless tone lending an austere beauty to Monk's brooding harmonic landscape. As the first of three solos, his single chorus sets a contemplative standard for this chamber-music level performance, each note placed with deliberate care within the ballad's haunting framework.

Lee Konitz was 68 to 69 years old at the time.