When Miles Davis chose Lee Konitz for his BIRTH OF THE COOL sessions many were angry. Miles’ answer to their anger tells you why Lee is today’s BBR alto pick:
“So I just told them that if a guy could play as good as Lee Konitz played—that’s who they were mad about most, because there were a lot of black alto players around—I would hire him every time, and I wouldn’t give a damn if he was green with red breath. I’m hiring a motherfucker to play, not for what color he is”
Amazing fact: Lee is still performing today. Catch him to see living music history.
