Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett is an American pianist and composer known for improvised solo concerts, jazz ensembles, and performances of classical repertoire.
The Köln Concert: A 1975 solo piano concert by Keith Jarrett, released as a landmark live jazz album. Its spontaneous, continuous performance became Jarrett’s best-known solo recording.
Free improvisation: Music created in performance without a predetermined composition or fixed formal plan. Jarrett’s solo concerts build form and material in real time.
Allentown, Pennsylvania: A city in eastern Pennsylvania and the birthplace of Keith Jarrett. Jarrett was born and raised in Allentown before pursuing professional music.
Keith Jarrett's American Quartet: A jazz ensemble led by Keith Jarrett in the 1970s, featuring Dewey Redman, Charlie Haden, and Paul Motian. Its exploratory group improvisation differs from the solo concerts and standards trio.
The Melody at Night, with You: A 1999 solo piano album of ballads recorded by Keith Jarrett at home. Its intimate, restrained playing contrasts with the scale of his concert improvisations.
Jazz standard: A widely known song or composition that jazz musicians use as a basis for performance and improvisation. The Standards Trio reshaped familiar tunes through spontaneous phrasing and interaction.
Berklee College of Music: A private music college in Boston, Massachusetts, specializing in contemporary music and performance. Jarrett studied at Berklee before leaving for New York and a performing career.
Keith Jarrett's European Quartet: A quartet led by Keith Jarrett in the 1970s with Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson, and Jon Christensen. Its lyrical, spacious sound offers a distinct counterpart to the American Quartet.
Standards Trio: A jazz trio formed by Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, and Jack DeJohnette in 1983. The trio’s interpretations of standards reveal Jarrett’s collaborative side.
Solo piano: A musical performance or composition written for or performed by one pianist. Jarrett’s solo concerts turn one instrument into a source of melody, rhythm, and texture.