An Image/You and Lee/In Harvard Square/Konitz

Import only four album collection on two CD's. AVID Jazz here presents four classic Lee Konitz albums including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. 'An Image Lee Konitz with Strings', 'You And Lee', 'In Harvard Square' and 'Konitz' Jazz meets classical for our first selection 'An Image'...... perhaps?! Certainly William Russo's arrangements to these songs add an extra dimension to the playing of Lee Konitz and a classical string quartet does rather enhance the classical flavor! The second selection 'You And Lee' was, according to arranger Jimmy Guiffre, influenced by the old Jimmie Lunceford band where the six piece brass section would all rise to perform ballads bathed in a warm colored light creating a wonderful mood with their closed muted horns. Artists appearing on this fine album include, on horns, Ernie Royal, Marky Markowitz and Phil Sunkle on trumpets; Bob Brookmeyer, Eddie Bert and Billy Byers on trombones; Lee on alto plus Bill Evans on piano, Sonny Dallas on bass, Roy Haynes on drums and Jim Hall on guitar. As mentioned in the original liner notes Lee is finally able to leave the Charlie Parker and Lester Young influences behind and become Lee Konitz! 'In Harvard Square' is a driving four piece recording with Lee searching for freedom alongside Jeff Morton, Al Levitt, Peter Ind and Percy Heath 'Let real playing begin!'. 'Konitz' features the same band minus Heath and is the first time Lee had gone into the studio as front man and leader with his own handpicked sidemen. Recorded in Lee Tristano's studio the Lee Konitz quartet 'can take it's place alongside the most important musical groups in Jazz.' All four albums have been digitally re mastered.