A pioneering jazz pioneer has passed out of time. On Wednesday, saxophonist Lee Konitz died in New York after falling ill with covid-19, US public service channel NPR reports.

In an extensive production, Konitz is perhaps the foremost effort on Miles Davis's classic album Birth of cool, a milestone in the history of jazz and the start shot for the style of cool jazz. He was close friend Charlie Parker, and also played with Gil Evans and Jim Hall.

Lee Konitz was active in the latter. His last album was Old songs new (Sunnyside), which was released in November last year. He turned 91 years old.