The life and career of a remarkable individual, Koenig, a figure who, despite not being a self-proclaimed communist, found himself blacklisted and subsequently unable to continue working in the film industry due to his refusal to compromise his values by naming names.
As a result, Koenig redirected his efforts, turning his attention to producing jazz records on Commodore Records, a venture that allowed him to collaborate with some of the most talented West Coast musicians of that era.
Among the many notable artists he worked with were Art Pepper and Ornette Coleman, the latter being the first musician Koenig ever recorded.
In his memoir, "Straight Life," Art Pepper pays tribute to Koenig's integrity, highlighting his decency as a person and a professional.
