Lee Konitz (born October 13, 1927) is an American composer and alto saxophonist. He has performed successfully in a wide range of jazz styles, including bebop, cool jazz and avant-garde jazz. Konitz's association with the cool jazz movement of the 1940s and 1950s includes participation in Miles Davis's Birth of the Cool sessions, and his work with pianist Lennie Tristano. He was notable during this era as one of relatively few alto saxophonists to retain a distinctive style when Charlie Parker exerted a massive influence.