Lee Konitz (1927–2020) was a famed American alto saxophonist known for his pioneering contributions to cool jazz and improvised music.

Lee Konitz

Konitz was born in Chicago, and came to prominence during the bebop era, playing with Miles Davis on “Birth Of The Cool”, as well as with pianist Lennie Tristano. His long melodic lines and accented rhythms gave him a distinct style in contrast to Charlie Parker. His debut recording as bandleader "Subconscious-Lee" saw Konitz and Tristano develop their contemporary style in groundbreaking fashion. In his later career, Konitz leant more towards free jazz and avant-garde sounds. Konitz and his music have left a profound impact on the jazz genre and earned him the reputation as a jazz legend.