The Internet is good and bad. It is good because you can listen to great artists like Keith so easily. It is bad because anyone can share their lunacy on the comments section.
Jerrett offers the perfect classical/jazz fusion, not belonging to one world any more than the other. When I listen to the mediocre stuff our present day composers have been coming up with, and than listen to how this guy can improvise, it makes me wonder if anyone is really paying attention. Jerrett is clearly one of the greatest talents of his time.
Playing with the likes of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock is no small feat. Since then Keith Jarret has always had a special place in my heart, the concert in Cologne (Koln) being a milestone. Why would anyone criticise? If they don't get it, they don't get it. KJ will be remembered as a legend; an amazing legend. Thanks Keith for all the music.
Oops, I meant Chick Corea, although it wouldn't surprise me if Jarrett and Hancock had shared the stage on occasion. NB: looking down the selections on the RHS in RU-vid I see "The Best of Chopin." That's pretty good company for any pianist :)
One thing I can't stand is people who cannot understand jazz make fun of the greatest jazz pianist of our time.If you have nothing nice to say then DON'T SAY ANYTHING!!!!!!!!
I saw Keith in concert in Houston..many moons ago. It was only him and a grand piano in Jones Hall. Someone midway took a flash photo and Keith stopped. He slowly walked up to the mike. The only words he said all nite. The audience was quiet...you could hear a "pin drop". Wow ..he said..."Pictures do not make music". He sat back down and continued. How true !!!!
Yes. Jarrett's creativity transcends, defies gravity. Can only imagine that Houston audience collectively sighed at his quiet admonishment. Wish I could have been there. Thank you for sharing. ♡
It is so simple! If you like Jarret you must hear him. If not, you can hear any other music. I like him. So this is a beautiful peace of art for me. Thanks God for the talent and creation.
I have loved the music and performances of Keith Jarrett from the moment he hit the stage solo at Great Southeast Music Hall, tin pail of beer by my side, to the Chick Corea Two Grand pianos facing off and as leader of the infamous, spectacular Keith Jarrett Quartet.There is just much to say since every time I heard him live it was better than the last. This performance, like all the others is better than the previous one. One day a statue of him will be seated next to mysterious and moody gloved Canadian, Glen Gould, risen from the shadows and needlepoint so popular among jazz pianists and later a giant among them all, McCoy Tyner whose solo "Song For My Lady" was played till the black acetate wore off and it was just silver, shining silver formed from the giant hands of this master, and finally Keith Emerson to fill the emotion cup up and drink it down just before lighting into a brief tribute to Meditations. I cannot imagine progressive rock, classical jazz, or solo piano without these children of God playing their heart and soul out upon the keys and mixed into the ever vibrating copper and brass, steel, and cloth wrapped wooden hammers shooting the chords and solos throughout the room, giving us each a key that we could sing into until Keith Jarrett drowned us all out singing "dedededee oh dedeedo dee". Oh and Death and the Maiden was a masterpiece as well.In the 70s that is all Keith Jarrett did, write, edit, set up the score to his design, composer, performer, To live in these times is really really revealing of what is man and what course hve set yourself upon. We have lived with his cry to God in every live performance and without his joy and ecstasy the piano would have sat there, lost between Jerry Lee Lewis and McCoy Tyner. Dear Lord, thank you for bringing this marching, head shaking, ohh and ahhing maestro to our concert halls and homes. If ever a performer loved the myriad ways of eliciting sound from the heart of the beast simply by sqeeking and dancing in place like no man or woman before or after.
Amazing. I've been listening to Jarret since 1967 and somehow, I did not hear this. It is exceptionally brilliant. Of course, this was done in 1987 which was probably the time-frame of some of his most brilliant work. But he is still doing brilliant work--probably the most genius musician/pianist in our lifetimes.
I'd love to be able to hear and feel music the way this transcendent genius does. Jarrett is channelling something from somewhere most of us will never be able to go.
Indefinibile pianista. Di una sensibilità sopraffina. Riesce con assoluta naturalezza a fondere contaminazioni musicali che ha negli anni assimilato e rielaborato. Corpo e mente sono un unicum e un continuum con lo strumento. Pochi pianisti improvvisano a questi livelli stratosferici. Una pietra miliare del Jazz o meglio della storia della musica. Un genio musicale incomparabile. Uno dei più grandi di tutti i tempi. Ritmo, melodia, tempi, pause sono divinamente equilibrati come nessuno al mondo riesce a fare quando si improvvisa.
Why are you guys comparing two completely different musicians and two completely different personalities! Appreciate each one for their artistry and creativity! They both bring an amazing talent and gift to the forefront!
As a pianist… Keith is as a teacher. To listen and learn is awsome. He has the sound I’m aiming for… jazzy but with those wonderfull classical voicings woven through it. He’s such a wonderfull musician, transcending styles. I absolutely love his music.
Keith cuenta una historia que en la parte que entendemos, nos hace feliz porque en lo que nos dice hay una vida plena. Alegría y sufrimiento, angustia y regocijo, Silencios, mesetas, picos. Genio, que bueno que estás
This particular concert footage is an excellent example of how KJ's hands and fingers work in tandem with his entire body to make piano music. Also, at the one hour mark or so, there is an excellent min-workshop on basic avant-garde piano technique, with the white and black keyplanes working as contrasting elements in all aspects of the music. MBB
hilda salmeron Hilda, you might really like the recording Keith Jarret made with Charlie Hayden not too long proper to Haydens death. Different that this piece, gentler, both men are older in recording. It is quite beautiful. Give it a try. I doubt you would retreat the cost.
He has back, arm and hand pain, which he is often trying to minimize, as well as a deeply physical approach to the piano. And, frankly, he is so short that he can get away with playing standing up. MBB
His live solo performances are mostly based on spontaneous improvisation. They invariably contain moments of great playing though lets be real, they can be tedious in parts. Koln Concert is widely thought to be his best live solo performance. Interested parties should check out Facing You, his solo studio record recorded in 1972. The music in that record was well developed in advance and in my view is right up there with his best work. Unfortunately the album is not showing on youtube at the moment.
No ego?? Have you seen him live? I was so disgusted that I almost walked out of Carnegie Hall when he started to berate the audience for making the slightest noise and he threatened to stop the performance. After that tirade I will never support him again.
That's not a sign of ego or pride. Because this is not a bar. In every classical concert you are requested to keep silent out of respect to the art. I cannot play in restaurant, due to the simple fact, it's destructing. Especially in a solo improvised music the silence is crucial. I haven't been at that concert so I cannot comment on it but in general this is my take on it.
I've been to hundreds of live performances over the last forty + years and I've never seen a tirade like that before or after. And using my past experience at live shows the audience wasn't any noisier than what's to be expected of 2K people most of which are over 40 and are not unnecessarily noisy or thoughtless. After all we're not talking about Mozart or any Creative Giant who's contribution to human culture will last an eternity but Keith Jarrett who's probably best know to the average jazz fan for his interpretation of Miles Davis anecdotes on RU-vid. Keith should go to Miles grave everyday to say thank you.
I guess you got your point. We can keep arguing endlessly so I agree with you on this point, neither I do not know Jarrett in person. All I know he was raised by an ambitious mother who wanted him to be a classical super star. So that must have rub off him. What I wanted to say is the in his music there is no ego, not in his character. Becasue what can you say if someone becomes music he plays? This how I hear. Koodos to you for the background story.
I enjoyed the music on this video - my impressions were enhanced when I stopped watching his body movements - they kind of distracted me. Guess for me it is best to hear him on CD rather than see him live. He has a great body of work including his electric work with Miles Davis in 1970/71. Miles Davis had a high impression of his improvisational skills - nuff said.
Contrary to what some have said, I think Jarrett is very talented and gifted. I think you have to appreciate the subtleties in his music to fully appreciate his gift. However, I agree that all those faces and movements of his should not be on camera. For me they are a big distraction. I realize they are a part of his performance, but mercy me. I like his vocal sounds, though.
Eu sou apaixonado pelo Keith, mas gostaria ainda mais dele se ele economizasse na expressão corporal... Bom, "Do madeiro torto de que o homem é feito nada completamente reto pode ser talhado".
Wow...his facial movements are distracting? Scroll the video up, put on your earphones and listen. Don't know if he is a likable person. It's not our relationship. It's his music and if I respond it or not.
While I like some Jarrett (Survivor's Suite is one of my favorite records), I don't think this is a very good performance. Anyone who thinks that Jarrett is only "average", though, should check out the 1972 trio video that can be found around here. And maybe also check out his solo album The Moth And The Flame. As for all the grunting and grimacing, I remember watching this on TV in around 1984 with my friend and his parents, who (although they profoundly admired Glenn Gould) honestly wanted to know what all the posing and singing was about. Go figure. Thanks for the post.
Does anyone think that the "Chorale-style" part starting on: 36:34 till 42:24 is improvised/composed in real time (current moment while playing)? it sounds too perfect piece to compose spontaneously. Does anyone knows where I can find a transcription of this part? I tried to transcript it myself but found it very hard due to the rubato rhythmic playing and changes between even/odd rhythmic bars... Thanks
Jerome Feinberg sounds like a composed piece for me....but you never know. Although it’s an improvised concert, I guess the musician may have some sections prepared, and combines them with real time improvisation. At least they do have a framework of what they are going to play, in my opinion. And they do know the licks and harmonies of their own musical language very well, and be able to pick them up at real time. They also practice those “improvisation” and have a lot of tricks.
People getting all butthurt about the way someone acted nearly 30 years ago and who has now changed his attitude. Look at Christian Bale, yes an actor but also a huge asshole yet he has an amazing acting career. How people act outside of their art is beside the point. I watch Christian Bale for his acting, i listen to Keith Jarrett for his music. Also i agree applause during playing is annoying.
+MVA013 2014-2015 Title is Somewhere over the rainbow. Many more performances of this song at RU-vid, also by Keith Jarrett. One of my favourites this song as well.
+Claude Debussy I agree. Ego is a universal problem and it is unwise and I dare say thoroughly unfair to draw conclusions about someone's artistry/talent based on this variable alone
+LinkBulletBill + DrStabKill < Ego is more in the way than it is not i.m.o + there are definitely also degrees of ego-force, though it sure is near impossible to judge exactly from the outside how h/h make-up is conceived. Individual means 'indivisible' + there is a necessary division as well into me and my Self. After all we create ourselves on different levels from different experiences. In that proces 'expression' (5th chackra) is a major factor on the journey of the being through time. Purifying ones intent to raise to the purest expression of what is present in the heart is the true artists endeavour. So after all Ego is in the way more than it is not i.m.o.
After those who were present had finished not voicing their appreciation of the man and his talents they were privileged to have their wrists personally slashed by Jarret since after the concert one could never be as close to God again without taking such measures.
Alan, you listened to the wrong concert. I recently heard God play his new solo piano performance at Carnegie Hall, and he was really outstanding. He did a far better job of wiggling, singing, gyrating and grunting than Keith ever did, and after the performance he cussed out the audience twice as hard and twice as long as Keith ever did. You should really go to one of his concerts, if his tour comes through your town. His tickets and touring schedule are on his website.
Most of the people criticizing Keith’s physical performance clearly never touched the piano, let alone reach 1/10th his improvisational level. Over 30 years ago, audiences was dying to buy a ticket, have a seat, and be patient. Today, with all the technological achievements at hand, many don’t have the basic intelligence of scrolling away, put the video in background... Your own opinion, yes, but insulting someone doing God’s works is beyond disrespectful. It shows your petty perspective towards life and relationships with fellow human beings.
As much as I love some of Jarrett's output, I must confess finding myself too risk-aversed at my age to listen to any improvisation for so long. It's even proven to be unhealthy for Jarrett himself. I'm leaning more towards compositions nowadays, much more than towards improvisations... I see no need nowadays to say everything single thing that comes to mind, blabbering like a child infatrutate with his own voice. One only needs to listen to his The Melody At Night With You, recorded 11 years later, to appreciate the difference I'm pointing out here. There's just as much of Jarret there as there is here, and for me even more there because I can trust that with only 2-3 minutes per session he could muster in his severely weakened condition he couldn't afford to waste a single note. Yes, I'm growing old, and I have little time left to listen to anything beyond what someone really means to say!
