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John Klopotowski: Live in S.F.

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John Klopotowski
Between the fall of 1980 and late 1987, guitarist John Klopotowski studied and performed with tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh. A cool-jazz founder in 1949 with pianist Lennie Tristano, alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, guitarist Billy Bauer, bassist Arnold Fishkin and drummer Harold Granowsky, Marsh played high on the instrument's register and had a dry, vibrato-less tone. Like Boy Scout knots, smoke signals and bebop (which preceded cool), the music was a secret language based on Tristano's polymorphic approach to improvisation. To the naked ear, the music sounded like familiar songs played in reverse.

A passionate student of Marsh and Tristano, Klopotowski has just released San Francisco Concert: Remembering Lennie Tristano (1919-1978). Recorded at Jazz Chez Hanny on February 10 of this year, the album features Klopotowski backed by a magnificent group—alto saxophonist Jacob Zimmerman, bassist John Wiitala and drummer Akira Tana. The album is superb from start to finish, capturing the arid essence and unison playfulness of Tristano's and Marsh's cool-jazz recordings.

Interestingly, while Klopotowski's motive was to celebrate the music of Tristano, he also rekindles interest in guitarist Billy Bauer's role in the original Lennie Tristano Quintet. Klopotowski's guitar playing is exemplary, easily folding Bauer's brooding swing and Marsh's sailing horn together into one entwined attack. Zimmerman's playing against Klopotowski's guitar is beautiful, and he clearly has spent quality time with Tristano's and Marsh's recordings absorbing and adapting.

The tracks are Klopotowski's Child's Play, Konitz's Subconscious Lee, the standard You Go to My Head, Tristano's 317 East 32nd St., Tristano's Lennie's Pennies, the standard Stardust, Marsh's Fishin' Around, Al Cohn's High on You and Charlie Parker's Billie's Bounce. John David Klopotowski, the guitarist's son, is on drums on the last track.

This album is pure joy and a must own. 

JazzWax clips: Here's Fishin' Around...



Here's Subconscious Lee...



And here's Child's Play...

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This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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Album information

Title: San Francisco Concert: Remembering Lennie Tristano (1919-1978) | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced

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