|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
n
May 8, Lee Konitz performed brilliantly at the Kerrytown Concert
House in Ann Arbor. He came out for the second show by himself and said,
"I'm going to try to play something I've never played before." This sums
up Konitz's career simply but profoundly. He has never settled for the
easy or the familiar; he always challenges himself and listeners. After
his solo exploration, he was joined by drummer Pete Siers for a duet,
followed by a duet with bassist Jeff Halsey. Konitz has always loved duets,
and this performance helped show why: there was a constant sense of exploration,
of surprise, of really listening by both the players and the audience.
After the duets, Konitz said they would play some "real tunes," which
included "Star Eyes," "Darn That Dream," and "Cherokee," all sounding
fresh — like he hadn't played them before.
The
same night just a few blocks away, Toots Thielemans was playing
at the Bird of Paradise with Kenny Werner (piano), Ron Brooks (bass),
and Gerald Cleaver (drums). The second Konitz show was over in time to
catch the late show at the Bird, which a lot of people did, including
Konitz himself. So we expected him to sit in. It was a strange set, starting
out with the trio of Werner, Brooks, and Cleaver. Werner is a marvelous
pianist, full of energy and passion, so things started to swing. But when
Toots appeared, Brooks and Cleaver disappeared, leaving Toots on harmonica
and Kenny to play duets which didn't grab me the way the Konitz duets
did. Maybe it was hearing the trio swing hard first that left me wanting
more. I also didn't like the electric keyboard Werner sometimes used —
a cross between old soap opera organ fills and fuzak. Toots sounded fine;
I was just hoping for more energy. When Konitz sat in, there was still
no bass and drums for "Body and Soul." Finally they emerged for "Cherokee"
(again) and a couple of tunes after Konitz left. Toots is a very lyrical
and expressive player as well as a warm and gentle man. His guitar was
on stage but he stuck to the harmonica. It was great to see him, and an
extra treat to see Konitz join in. I could have used two more tunes with
everyone swinging hard. It was very good to have such a wealth of music
in Ann Arbor on the same night.
