Bill Evans & Lee Konitz / France, March 11, 1965

This collector’s item captures a rare live performance by Bill Evans and Lee Konitz, recorded at a jazz festival in Paris, France, on November 3, 1965—a collaboration that stands as a gem in the history of modern jazz. The pairing features Bill Evans, renowned for his lyrical and delicate piano touch, and Lee Konitz, a leading figure of cool jazz on the alto saxophone. Both musicians possess a rich harmonic sensibility and a gift for improvisation; their interplay creates a performance filled with a unique tension and freedom distinct from studio recordings. The rhythm section comprises two giants of the European jazz scene: bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and drummer Alan Dawson. Their exceptional musicianship supports the front-line duo, generating the rich, full sound characteristic of a quartet. On standards such as “What’s New,” “All The Things You Are,” “Detour Ahead,” and “My Melancholy Baby,” Evans’s beautiful harmonies blend exquisitely with Konitz’s refined, melodic improvisations, offering listeners the true essence of 1960s modern jazz. This historic recording captures an elegant live sound born of Evans’s lyrical piano, Konitz’s sophisticated saxophone, and a world-class rhythm section. Standing as a definitive performance from the golden age of modern jazz, this collection is highly recommended not only to Bill Evans fans but to all lovers of Lee Konitz and jazz standards. Live at Festival de Jazz, Paris, France (November 3, 1965): What’s New / All The Things You Are / Detour Ahead / My Melancholy Baby. Bill Evans – Piano; Lee Konitz – Alto Saxophone; Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen – Bass; Alan Dawson – Drums.