Lee Konitz: I Remember You
Musicians:
Lee Konitz (alto sax), Sonny Dallas (bass), Elvin Jones (drums).
Composed by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer
.Recorded: New York, August 29, 1961
Rating: 92/100 (learn more)
Motion is a unique offering in Lee Konitz’s discography. It’s his first official trio record, and he chose to do it with fellow Tristano-ite Sonny Dallas, and with a musician that few people would have imagined him playing with at the time: Elvin Jones. Konitz himself admits that he was somewhat apprehensive at the idea of Coltrane’s drummer being associated with his own rather thin alto sound. He even rehearsed at length with Dallas and Nick Stabulas as a “sparring partner” (and these side sessions are more than satisfying, as shown on the 3-record edition of Motion) before facing Jones himself. In fact, the alchemy worked fantastically between Konitz, Dallas and Jones, and Motion is definitely one of Konitz’s major achievements. It’s also the first steps toward individual freedom for a soloist who was basically considered “cool” so far. From then on, Konitz was never afraid to confront his extraordinary improvising ability with any other musician, provided he thought good music would come out of the meeting.
Reviewer: Thierry Quénum
Tags: alto sax · i remember you · sax trio · verve
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