European Windows--John Lewis

[Larry Kart]

Other than the Brandeis, what are some of the better third stream albums?

One that comes to mind is Lee Konitz/Bill Russo -- "An Image" (Verve, 1959).

Konitz with a string quartet and rhythm. It just works; thoughtful, beautifully played, inventive music, no pleading for extra credit. And Russo knew what he was doing.

Third Stream well before there was the label would be Bob Graettinger with Kenton -- "City of Glass" and "This Modern World" -- but Graettinger in effect eats the Third Stream for breakfast: "Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!"

[B. Clugston]

Other than the Brandeis, what are some of the better third stream albums?

One that comes to mind is Lee Konitz/Bill Russo -- "An Image" (Verve, 1959).

Konitz with a string quartet and rhythm. It just works; thoughtful, beautifully played, inventive music, no pleading for extra credit. And Russo knew what he was doing.

"An Image" is indeed a good one.

Also, "Jazz Abstractions," often credited to John Lewis, but more of a Gunther Schuller date. It includes Ornette Coleman and Eric Dolphy for part of it.

[Big Beat Steve]

Third Stream well before there was the label would be Bob Graettinger with Kenton -- "City of Glass" and "This Modern World" -- but Graettinger in effect eats the Third Stream for breakfast: "Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!"

Yes, Graettinger really was a case apart.

I remember when I first listened to the original 10" Capitol LP of "This Modern World" I found it surprisingly accessible and logical (certainly not as unorthodox as the liner notes made it out to be, but maybe in the 80s you took things for granted that were unheard of in the 50s?). It was only much later that I read more about how weird and "out of this world" Graettinger appeared to be (or was made to be??). Maybe it actually was better I did not read about him until later?

[Teasing the Korean]

Thanks. I have all of those except the Konitz/Russo. I have found the Bill Russo stuff I've heard kind of ponderous and dull. Hopefully this is an exception.

[AllenLowe]

just want to reiterate the Gunther Schuller - his Variants on a Theme by Monk is, IMHO, a masterpiece, the pinnacle of the genre.

[Larry Kart]

Thanks. I have all of those except the Konitz/Russo. I have found the Bill Russo stuff I've heard kind of ponderous and dull. Hopefully this is an exception.

It is.