One of the few alto saxophonists of his generation not to have been influenced by Charlie Parker, Lee Konitz was one of the driving forces of cool jazz in the '50s. Konitz began playing with Miles Davis in the mid '40s while simultaneously studying and recording with mentor Lennie Tristano. In the early '50s he recorded and toured with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and, though he left the band in 1953, quickly established his name and reputation. From the mid '50s onwards Konitz generally led his own bands, and in the mid '70s he formed a nine-piece band modeled after the one led by Miles Davis, 30 years earlier. Konitz's sound has evolved over the years, and in his later years has played alongside younger musicians working in the free- and avant-jazz idioms.