Lady Luck, and a little bit of geography, will bring something special to State College tonight.

Starting at 10 p.m. the legendary jazz musicians of the Lee Konitz Trio will fill the HUB-Robeson Center's Alumni Hall with a landscape of improvisational jazz.

According to John Harlow, assistant director of student activities at Penn State, there are usually about three jazz shows a semester, but scheduling was tight this spring, so this show might be the only one.

"We're excited to have a legend come to campus. We knew Konitz would be a big draw, but he wasn't affordable before with transportation and other expenses," Harlow said.

"Now they're on tour and pass right through State College," he said.

Because this will most likely be the only jazz show this semester, Harlow said he wanted to be sure to satisfy all of the jazz fans in the area.

Harlow often works with the Penn State Jazz Club to get their take on upcoming artists and the current jazz scene.

When an e-mail was sent out announcing Konitz's arrival, over 52 energetic responses inundated back to the club said Harlow.

Konitz made a name for himself in the jazz world during the late 1940s. Among other bands, Konitz belonged to Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool band.

"He's a veteran and still making waves," Harlow said.

The Trio consists of Konitz on alto saxophone, Charlie Haden on bass, and Brad Mehldau on piano.

In 1996 Konitz brought everyone together to perform at the Jazz Bakery Concert and got the ball rolling.

Blue Note Records recorded that performance which was later put on the album Alone Together. The album gained great reviews and earned a five-star rating in the All Music Guide to Jazz.

But fans wanted more. In 1999 Blue Note released Another Shade of Blue. The album contained the other tunes that were recorded during the Jazz Bakery Concert, but were not included on Alone Together.

"A trio is a risky venture in jazz. If players are stiff and play by the book, the performance will fall flat," Harlow said. "Konitz's music is unpredictable, never boring. It all depends on the interaction of the crowd with the players."

Improvisation and the ability twist the norm has what has made this saxman successful for so many years.

"He takes a tune and delves it in a new way. He doesn't play the same old notes," Harlow said.

Konitz will play his imaginative, stripped down jazz for about an hour and half to two hours.

Admission is free. The event is being presented by HUB Late Night Penn State.