Konitz with strings, sort of

degas_absinthe,
originally uploaded by mrgreg.

This is one long title: "Lee Konitz & the Axis String Quartet Play French Impressionist Music from the 20th Century." And the disk from Palmetto isn't your father's "with strings" session, let me assure you, but decidedly third stream with the classical elements far more up front and the jazz elements still prominent.

I'm not sure many jazz saxophonists could pull this off, the late Steve Lacy maybe, perhaps Anthony Braxton. But the versatile Konitz does, with avant-garde-leaning improvisations that don't seem at all out of place. I think he also shows why the saxophone, despite age-old prejudices, could play a larger role in classical ensembles. It helps as well that some of the Impressionist composers, Ravel and Debussy for instance, had an affinity for jazz anyway. Arranger Ohad Talmor did a stellar job playing to the strengths of the music and the musicians here, too. Moreover, I believe this particular string quartet could step right into, say, William Parker's Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra and sell it. Which makes for compatible music and partners from Konitz's perspective and an interesting CD from mine.

Then again, I'm a guy who typically spends hours at the Musee d'Orsay perusing the Impressionist paintings (favorite: L'absinthe by Degas) whenever I'm in Paris, so I may not be the best judge.