Emerging Artist Series Jonas Heidebrecht Quintet

Jonas Heidebrecht-alto saxophone, Jesse Deems-trumpet, Aiden Oh-piano, Zeke Hirsh-bass, Calvin Simmers-drums

The Music of Lee Konitz

It would seem that “cool” would have no place in the summer heat of Arizona, but YoungArts award winner Jonas Heidebrecht is going to make it happen. Earning the 1st Alto Saxophone spot in the 2023 Arizona All-State Jazz Band, Jonas and his group of Arizona’s brightest young jazz all-stars are excited to present a catalog of music from one of the most important – yet seemingly little known – musical figures in jazz history – alto saxophonist Lee Konitz. From his upbringing as a student of Lennie Tristano to his tenure with Miles Davis to his life-long collaboration with tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh, Lee Konitz established a reputation as a leader of the cool jazz movement, a response to the fiery temper of bebop. Featuring a selection of Tristano school contrafacts and old-time favorites, Jonas is looking forward to shedding light on one of the criminally underrated players in jazz.