Classic Lennie with his main disciples - Konitz, Marsh, Bauer and Fishkin - who were among the relatively few, at this time (1949/50), to recognise the genius that the modern jazz world had in its midst.
Miles' Birth of the Cool band and Gerry's sextet were close but Lennie's sextet managed to strike a freer mood. They showed the way ahead towards a freedom that could be done without dissonance whilst retaining their image at the pointy end of progression.
This particular disc (3/6) of the set was recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1949, hence the superior sound quality, and has some fantastic playing by the horns. Tristano, again, supplied most of the tunes although Konitz, Marsh and Fishkin also contributed along with a fine version of You go to my Head - a tune Lennie must have liked as it also crops up a couple of times on discs 4 and 5.
The more I listen to this collection , despite the surface noise, the more I appreciate just what a giant he was.
Tomorrow - trio sessions with Peter Ind - Lance
PS: Apart from the music, the boxed set which is available from Mosaic/Dot Time Records comes with a 16 page glossy 11" x 11" booklet with some stunning b&w shots as well as a foreword by Lennie's daughter Carol.
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