The Complete Lennie Tristano on Keynote(1947)
The earliest of these 19 sides, dating from 1946, capture Lennie Tristano at age 27, newly arrived in New York and beginning to carve a place for himself in the embryonic bebop scene. Playing with Billy Bauer on guitar and bassist Clyde Lombardi, Tristano shows off a mix of youthful verse and pianistic elegance, coupled with effortless, seamless invention, matched by Bauer's crisp, economical, yet quietly flamboyant guitar. Other, later sides included here, from the following year, capture Tristano and company moving into more dissonant and experimental territory, challenging the listeners without ever losing them as he ranges across unexpected tonalities. It's all glorious listening, and don't be put off by the multiple takes of all but three compositions here because no two are alike enough to make it seem like you've been there before.
1. Out on a Limb (take 1)
2. Out on a Limb (take 2)
3. Out on a Limb (take 3)
4. I Can't Get Started (take 1)
5. I Can't Get Started (take 2)
6. I Surrender, Dear (take 1)
7. I Surrender, Dear (take 2)
8. I Surrender, Dear (take 3)
9. Untitled Blues
10. Interlude (take 1)
11. Interlude (take 2)
12. Interlude (take 3)
13. Interlude (take 4)
14. Interlude (take 5)
15. Interlude (take 6)
15. Blue Boy (take 1)
16. Atonement (take 1)
17. Coolin' off With Ulanov (take 1)
18. Coolin' off With Ulanov (take 2)
- Lennie Tristano (piano)
- Billy Bauer (guitar)
- Bob Leininger (bass)
- Clyde Lombardi (bass)
Lennie Tristano Quintet-Live in Toronto(1952)
By 1952, pianist Lennie Tristano was starting to withdraw from public performances, spending most of his time teaching. This formerly unknown recording matches him with four of his best students: altoist Lee Konitz, tenor-saxophonist Warne Marsh, bassist Peter Ind and drummer Al Levitt. Together they explore six common chord changes, five of them given new titles. Although not essential, this music is quite enjoyable and a good example of Lennie Tristano's unique approach to jazz improvisation.
- Lennie Tristano, piano
- Warne Marsh, tenor saxophone
- Lee Konitz, alto saxophone
- Al Levitt, drums
- Peter Ind, bass
1 Lennie's Pennies
2 317 East 32nd
3 You Go To My Head
4 April
5 Sound-Lee
6 Back Home
