There are few musicians who can reach back into their repertoire 60 years to find the right tune. But, about two-thirds of the way through his wonderful concert with at the Eastman School of Music's filled-to-capacity Kilbourn Hall Monday night, saxophonist Lee Konitz played his quirky 1949 composition "Subconscious Lee." He was joined by the head of Eastman's Jazz Studies Deptartment, pianist Harold Danko, his long-time band mate (but not that long).

When the Eastman School brought in Danko in 1998, his association with jazz greats like Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, and Konitz no doubt played a large role in his hiring. His connections have paid off over the years and Monday night was a prime example. Because of their years together on the road Konitz and Danko read each-other well. They clearly had not rehearsed for the concert, but that only added to the sense of adventure.

Danko and Konitz took turns starting pieces. They would hesitate, fumble around looking for a good entrance, and eventually catch a wave. On one tune (I believe it was "All The Things You Are") Danko tried out some chords without actually hitting them. Meanwhile Konitz began tapping out a rhythm on the keys of his sax. Danko took advantage of the beat and jumped in. If anyone in the audience had any doubts about the "in the moment" improvisational abilities of jazz musicians, those doubts were dispelled at this concert.

Toward the end of the concert, the duo was joined by a quartet of Eastman students --- Ben Bishop, guitar; Mike Van Bebber, trumpet; Kyle Vock, bass; and Kevin McDonald, drums --- to play two tunes by the late George Russell. They were recorded by Konitz in 1951 and, according to Konitz, not played since then. Konitz explained that back then Miles Davis borrowed a trumpet and played the complicated melodies. Tonight, he said, he borrowed a sax (from Eastman) and he would be playing those same tricky notes. Bishop's transcriptions were excellent; the somewhat experimental tunes by the man Konitz called a scientist sounded fresh almost six decades after they were written.

The concert was all the more remarkable considering that Konitz was to celebrate his 82nd birthday the next day. (We had cake in the upstairs lounge after the last tune.) Konitz might have experienced some shortness of breath, but the audience experienced no shortage of mastery.

Konitz is going to be in town for a few days so that he can be at the Gerry Niewood tribute in the Eastman Theatre Wednesday night. Let's hope he's in the mood to borrow that saxophone one more time.