Lee Konitz Trio@The Jazz Bakery 05.01.08
By George W. Harris

There are times in every artist’s life when he must deal with the technical difficulties associated with his craft. On this night at the Bakery, alto star Lee Konitz showed what it takes to be a true professional, as he battled with a faulty reed and mouthpiece the entire set at the Bakery, but was still able to deliver a satisfying evening of music. Supported by bassist Matt Brewer and legendary drummer Joe LaBarbera, Konitz opened with an arid and dry reading of “Softly As A Morning Sunrise” that was loose and abstract, seemingly distracted by the quality of his reed. After a lyrical drum intro to “Hot House/What Is This Thing Called Love?”, Konitz left the stage a total of three times trying to correct his mouthpiece, leaving Brewer and LaBarbera to do some creative interplay. Once Konitz returned, he seemed relaxed, and it showed through his floating tone as he weaved between melodies with grace and ease. After an intuitive bass solo of “Bye Bye Blackbird, the band segued into “Invitation”, with Konitz dueting with Brewer as if skating gracefully on ice. Even under the most frustrating of circumstances, the greatest artists can show their talents, and Konitz was able to rise above the challenge. True improvisation on many levels.