Konitz is sometimes regarded as the preeminent cool jazz saxophonist, because he performed and recorded with Claude Thornhill, Lennie Tristano (both often cited as important cool jazz proponents of the mid 1940s), and with Miles Davis' on his epochal Birth of the Cool, which gave the form its name.
Konitz has also been repeatedly noted as one of the few jazz saxophonists of the late 1940s and 1950s who did not seem imitative of the massively influential Charlie Parker.
In the early 1950s, Konitz recorded and toured with Stan Kenton's orchestra.
In 1961, he recorded Motion with Elvin Jones on drums and Sonny Dallas on bass. This spontaneous session, widely regarded as a classic in the cool genre, consisted entirely of standards. The loose trio format aptly featured Konitz's unorthodox phrasing and chromaticism.
In 1967, Konitz recorded The Lee Konitz Duets, a series of duets with various musicians. The duo configurations were often unusual for the period (saxophone and trombone, two saxophones). The recordings drew on very nearly the entire history of jazz, from a Louis Armstrong dixieland number with valve trombonist Marshall Brown to two completely free duos: one with a Duke Ellington associate, violinist Ray Nance, and one with guitarist Jim Hall.
Konitz was quite prolific, recording dozens of albums as a band leader. He also recorded and/or performed with Dave Brubeck, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, Gerry Mulligan, Elvin Jones and others.
Stella By Starlight
Lee Konitz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through years of endless springs
The murmur of a brook at eventide
That ripples by a nook where two lovers hide
A great symphonic theme
That's Stella by starlight
And not a dream
My heart and I agree
A great symphonic theme
That's Stella by starlight
And not a dream
My heart and I agree
She's everything on earth to me
The lyrics to Lee Konitz's "Stella By Starlight" describe the powerful and all-encompassing love that the singer has for their partner, using vivid natural imagery to evoke the depth and nature of their feelings. The song's opening lines convey a sense of timeless beauty and enchantment, as the unnamed "robin" sings a melody that symbolizes the enduring nature of love over "years of endless springs." The singer also uses the soothing sound of a brook at eventide to capture the calming, comforting influence that their partner has on their life. The couple's love is further emphasized by the notion of two lovers hiding in a nook, as if they are the only two people in the world.
The song's title phrase, "Stella by starlight," is used as a striking metaphor for the singer's love, suggesting that their feelings are as grand and majestic as a great symphonic theme. The repetition of this phrase is meant to emphasize the enormity and significance of this love, while the phrase "and not a dream" underscores the authenticity and reality of their feelings. Ultimately, the singer declares that their partner is "everything on earth" to them, suggesting that their love is all-encompassing and all-consuming.
Line by Line Meaning
The song a robin sings
Just as the robin sings its song year after year, this song praises a timeless beauty.
Through years of endless springs
The beauty of the subject of this song, Stella by starlight, exists eternally and is not limited by time or seasons.
The murmur of a brook at eventide
The tranquility and peacefulness of nature is being compared to the beauty of Stella by starlight.
That ripples by a nook where two lovers hide
Just as two lovers would find solace in nature, the beauty of Stella by starlight provides comfort and escape.
A great symphonic theme
Stella by starlight is not just a simple melody, but a grand and majestic composition worthy of a symphony.
That's Stella by starlight
The beauty being described is none other than Stella by starlight.
And not a dream
Contrary to the ephemeral nature of dreams, the beauty of Stella by starlight is real and enduring.
My heart and I agree
The artist's emotions and thoughts are in agreement that Stella by starlight is the ultimate embodiment of beauty.
She's everything on earth to me
The beauty and significance of Stella by starlight surpasses anything else in the world for the artist.
Lyrics © Editora e Importadora Musical Fermata do Brasil Ltda., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Ned Washington, Victor Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@biskoto101108
Great music! ♥ HAPPY EASTER ♥
@MAUQUI
buena musica
@LolaK
Fantastic'''
@bladome
RIP Lee...
@danjameson1572
unbelievable that his first lp was released in 1949.
@simiralentertainment6934
One soldier is sometimes a real warrior, one musician sometimes sounds like a big orchestra ... But together it's always more fun ... ))