Lennie Tristano

This is a fan site dedicated to the late Jazz pianist/composer Lennie Tristano (1919-1978)... Adapting practices in line with contemporary classical/ experimental music such as polytonal effects, overdubbing, altered tape speeds and extensive use of counterpoint, Tristano's musical language made an invaluable imprint on the be-bop scene with his move to NYC from Chicago in 1946. Named "Metronome Magazine" musician of the year 1947, and spreading his influence to many young players such as tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh, when rejoined in 1949 by previous students Lee Konitz (alto sax) and Billy Bauer (guitar), they formed the core of Tristano's great sextet, recording the basis of the bands collecive legacy. Among these 1949 recordings were "Digression" and "Intuition"- two freely improvised pieces, a decade before Ornette Coleman's "pioneering" free records. These and the pre-composed forms consolidated the Tristano approach- long rhythmically and harmonically elaborate melodies, played over a smooth solid swing backdrop maintained by the bass/drums. Their clinical restraint towards interaction with the rest of the group often lent Tristano's sound to an air of emotional detachment- something often fielded by people looking to criticise. In the early to mid fifties, Tristano founded and led a school of Jazz- it's faculty consisting of his finest students- Bauer, Konitz, Marsh and Pianist Sal Mosca. Throughout the late fifties and sixties, Tristano's public performances became less as he concentrated on teaching. Recordings too became few and far between, releasing two albums for Atlantic- "Lennie Tristano", "The new Tristano", and "Descent into the maelstrom" on Inner city. Tristano continued to teach up until his death in 1978.Please check out further recordings by Tristano and his students, as these tracks and the info posted here is merely a taster to spread the word a bit more..