This 1957 album captures Konitz in a less-common quartet setting, offering a distinct alternative to his more famous collaborations. The set is notable for its sparseness and Konitz's characteristic lyricism.
- The album was recorded on September 10, 1957, at Van Gelder Studios in Hackensack, New Jersey. It features Konitz alongside pianist Don Friedman, bassist Tommy Williams, and drummer Al Levitt. The Amanita label was a short-lived subsidiary of the larger Jazz Selection label.
- The album was released on September 2, 1957, shortly after Konitz's contributions to Miles Davis's Birth of the Cool sessions and Charles Mingus's Pithecanthropus Erectus. Konitz's solo career had been developing alongside his session work, with a focus on his distinctive improvisational style.
- This particular recording session has been noted for its intimate sound, allowing Konitz's alto saxophone to take center stage. The choice of material, including standards and original compositions, showcases his improvisational prowess within a more restrained ensemble format.
Lee Konitz is a jazz saxophonist from Oakland, California, known for his work in the cool jazz and avant-garde scenes. At the time of this 1957 release, he was a prominent figure in the post-bop era, having recently collaborated with artists such as Charles Mingus and Miles Davis.
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