Judging from their frequent occurrence in his long discography, duet sessions are among Lee
Konitz's favorites. These intimate settings have also encouraged some of his best work; for
example, his 1967 album The Lee Konitz Duets (Milestone/OJC), on which he performed with
several diverse partners in an astonishing range of styles. The mood is more focussed on
Sunnyside's reissue of Toot Sweet, a 1982 session with Michel Petrucciani originally
released on the now-defunct Owl label. At the time of the recording, the pianist was not yet 20
years old, and the marks of his acknowledged greatest influence, Bill Evans, are readily apparent.
In fact, the opening track, a searching "I Hear A Rhapsody" readily brings to mind Evans'
own duet version with Jim Hall from the classic Undercurrent (United Artists 1962; reissued
on Blue Note). Petrucciani is his own man, however, even at this early stage; his lovely solo piece
"To Erlinda" begins in a pensive Evans mode, but soon moves through sweeping runs,
thunderous left-hand chords, and bluesy asides in a more original style.
Konitz, as usual, methodically explores every nook and cranny of each tune's melody,
particularly on the 15-minute, abstract takes of "Round About Midnight" and "Lover
Man" that form the centerpiece of the album. Although Konitz is often referred to as a
"cool-toned" altoist, this is somewhat misleading; he sometimes produces a quite
astringent sound, particularly in the upper register, with a bit of blues wail to it. This suits perfectly
the pathos inherent in "Lover Man," which offers the best playing on the record.
On
this tune, Konitz continually dances in an angular fashion around the melody, never quite actually
playing it through, but revealing its every facet by a kind of musical triangulation. Petrucciani
alternately prods and follows his elder partner through the tune, here offerring a propulsive, bluesy
foundation, there picking up phrases of Konitz's and dancing them around the rhythm. Throughout
the album but especially in this setting, the interaction between the musicians is wonderful, as they
play with an attentiveness and empathy that is a joy to hear. This is a great find, and kudos to
Sunnyside for resurrecting it. Highly recommended.
~ Joshua Weiner
