Two performances by two top jazz saxophonists in two consecutive weeks may sound redundant. But not when you know where and who. The annual Farrell Family Jazz Series at the Athenaeum always offers variety, and this time around is no exception. Tonight, alto/soprano saxophonist Steve Wilson, who also plays flute, will perform with his quartet. He will be followed by the pioneering saxophonist Lee Konitz, who will do two shows.
Konitz, generally considered one of the most influential alto sax players in modern jazz, never rested on the laurels of being a vital part of Miles Davis’ “Birth of the Cool” nonet and one of the architects of that style. While many of his contemporaries in the mid- to late 1940s fell under the considerable spell of Charlie Parker, the Chicago-born Konitz developed his own distinctive sound and tone.
He later said it was largely due to his tutelage under pianist Lennie Tristano, also from the Windy City, who encouraged him to find his own voice.
In addition to the Davis connections, which included Gil Evans, Konitz has collaborated with everyone from Gerry Mulligan and Stan Kenton to tenor saxophonist Mark Turner and free jazz pianist Paul Bley. Konitz is renowned as a consummate improviser. While he has led a number of ensembles, he told R.J. DeLuke of All About Jazz, “I don’t like the leader concept too much “¦ The concentration involved and the ability to play spontaneously and with other people. That’s an extreme challenge that I welcome every time.”
The specific people taking up the challenge with Konitz in La Jolla next week are drummer Joe La Barbera and bassist Darek Oles, who have toured with him internationally. The sax virtuoso last played at the Neurosciences Institute in 2002.
The trio will appear next Thursday at 7 p.m. and, in a special second performance, at 9 p.m. Neither show will have an intermission.
From an entirely different generation and a completely different background comes Steve Wilson, also a saxophonist, also an improviser. Playing in school and funk bands as a teen in his native Virginia, he later backed R&B singers such as Gloria Gaynor and the Four Tops. While at Virginia Commonwealth University he studied and performed with Jimmy and Percy Heath, Ellis Marsalis and other topnotch musicians. In 1986, he nabbed a coveted spot in Out of the Blue, a sextet of young up-and-coming players sponsored by Blue Note Records. Shortly after that, he moved to New York City, where his career took off.
As a leader and a sideman, Wilson has played flute and alto and soprano saxes in all kinds of settings with a rich variety of artists, including Dave Liebman, Renee Rosnes, The Mingus Big Band and The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. In 1996 he had a stint with the acclaimed Dave Holland Quintet, and from 1998 to 2001, he played in Chick Corea’s Grammy-winning sextet, Origin.
More recently he has been a touring member of the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, a player in Mulgrew Miller’s Wingspan and, with Lewis Nash, half of Musical Dialogue.
Wilson ” who also composes ” will play tonight, July 19, with L.A.-based pianist Billy Childs, bassist Hamilton Price and drummer Duncan Moore. Childs performed at The Neurosciences Institute last fall with his own sextet; Price has played with Gilbert Castellanos and has a North County club date with Peter Sprague in late July. Local wonder Moore is familiar to any San Diego live-music fan.
So if you’re trying to choose which great saxophonist to hear, don’t. Catch both. The Steve Wilson Quartet, July 19, 7:30 p.m. Lee Konitz Trio, Thursday, July 26, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. The annual Farrell Family Jazz Series Concerts are held at the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room of the Athenaeum, 1008 Wall St. Tickets range from $18 to $23.
For tickets and information, call (858) 454-5872.