Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
In Memoriam: James Blood Ulmer, 1940–2026
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
Lee Konitz performs at the Blue Note in New York City on Oct. 9. The concert was held in celebration of the saxophonist’s 90th birthday.
(Photo: Frank Eppler)Lee Konitz, a 2009 NEA Jazz Master and DownBeat Hall of Fame inductee for 2015, brought his empathetic band into the New York’s Blue Note on Oct. 9 to celebrate his 90th birthday (he was born in Chicago on Oct. 13, 1927). Sharing an uncanny chemistry with the remarkably open-eared pianist Dan Tepfer and the uncommonly sensitive rhythm tandem of drummer George Schuller and bassist Jeremy Stratton, Konitz spun inventions and variations on familiar standards with his golden tone, one of the most distinctive sounds on alto sax to this day.
Last seen in town in a highly successful performance at the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in late August, the quartet opened with Konitz’s signature piece from 1949, “Subconscious-Lee,” his contrafact on Cole Porter’s “What Is This Thing Called Love?” Coming out of the tightly-constructed head, Tepfer’s keyboard abstractions triggered a stream of consciousness flow of singing by the alto great, who scatted freely in his chair on stage while nonchalantly changing his reed.
Tepfer is not only a consummate accompanist; he’s also an ideal foil for Konitz. The pianist knows the sax great’s moves, anticipates them and often tweaks the proceedings with Cubist abstractions while holding onto the core of the piece they are deconstructing. Schuller adds to the experimental vibe by cutting up the beat and coloring percussively in unexpected and understated ways, while bassist Stratton remains a zen-like presence in the group—fundamental yet unobtrusive.
While theme and variation remains Konitz’s modus operandi, you will rarely catch him dropping in familiar quotes from show tunes or standards in the middle of his solos. He is truly an improviser who plays “in the moment.” And his young charges create the perfect scenario for him to fly freely in their collective search-and-discovery missions with their keen listening-reacting instincts.
A request shouted out from the audience for Lennie Tristano’s “317 East 32nd Street” (his contrafact on “Out Of Nowhere”) was met immediately by Konitz and his crew, and they successfully navigated the tricky line with aplomb. Next, Konitz looked at drummer Schuller and asked, “What do you want to play next?” Schuller quickly replied, “Darn?” And they launched into a relaxed “Darn That Dream” which had the alto sax great embracing the melody with tenderness.
In the middle of Tepfer’s expressive solo, the pianist began singing, which triggered Konitz to join in with some poignant vocalizing of his own. His relationship with some of these familiar melodies goes back 70 years or more. They’re in his DNA at this point. And his interpretation is always immediate and personal.
On “All The Things You Are,” Konitz engaged the audience to sing the melody with him a cappella before the band joined in. And his poignant readings of “‘Round Midnight” and “Stella By Starlight” were beautifully underscored by Schuller’s alluring brushwork and augmented by Tepfer’s dreamy voicings and countermelodies. The telepathic quartet closed out their set on an uptempo note with a romp through Jerome Kern’s “The Song Is You,” which took Konitz slightly out of his comfort zone. But his swing factor was intact and his intonation, as it had been all set, was spot-on. Like fellow nonagenarian Roy Haynes, Konitz continues to create miracles on the bandstand. DB
To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
Clockwise from top left, Mary Halvorson, Patricia Brennan, Adam O’Farrill, Keith Jarrett’s At the Deer Head Inn: The Complete Recordings, Sheila Jordan and Jaki Byard.
Jul 16, 2026 1:34 PM
The DownBeat Critics Poll never ceases to amaze! And the 74th Edition offered plenty of accolades for poll veterans and…
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Ibrahim was an early jazz acolyte, studying the music via 78s he would buy from soldiers stationed in South Africa — who also gave him the nickname “Dollar.”
Jun 30, 2026 3:19 PM
Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, the NEA Jazz Master from South Africa who helped fuse the folk music of his home country with…
Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet will record live at New York’s Village Vanguard for ECM records on Aug. 26–27.
Jul 22, 2026 12:46 PM
One of Joe Lovano’s buzz terms is “the moment of now” and with seemingly infinite patience — despite a schedule…
