"My Back's Still Killing Me"

"My back's still killing me," says jazz wind instrumentalist Chris Klich, "but I managed to mow the lawn today."

"What happened to your back?"

"Threw it out...and rather than getting better, as it usually does, it's gotten progressively worse, to the point where I'm pretty crippled."

"Is this affecting your ability to play?" Klich plays saxophone, flute, and clarinet, and he resides in La Mesa.

"I've spent all of my time either playing a gig or lying on the floor doing the stretches that always used to return me to health. I have a doctor's appointment, and he'll probably wind up giving me a shot of cortisone, so that should help."

"What were you doing? How did this happen?"

"Hanging Christmas lights," he says.

Klich is getting a master's in jazz theory from San Diego State. "I'll get it officially after I play my master's recital on April 13."

The Chris Klich Jazz Quintet's next show will be Sunday, January 16, from 5--8 p.m. at the Coyote Bar and Grill, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad.