Keith Jarrett

Keith Jarrett

American jazz and classical music pianist and composer

Birth name	Keith Jarrett
Also known as
Born	May 8, 1945 Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Origin
Died
Genres	Jazz, classical music
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer
Instrument(s)	Piano, saxophone

Keith Jarrett (born May 8, 1945) is an American jazz and classical music pianist and composer. He is considered one of the most important and influential pianists in both genres. Jarrett has performed both as a solo artist and as a member of various ensembles, and he is known for his improvisational skills and eclectic musical style.

Early Life and Education

Keith Jarrett was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. Jarrett attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied under various notable instructors and honed his skills in both jazz and classical music.

Career

Early Career

Jarrett's professional career began in the 1960s when he joined the Charles Lloyd Quartet. His work with Lloyd brought him significant attention and led to collaborations with other prominent musicians, including Miles Davis. Jarrett played electric piano and organ with Davis, contributing to albums such as Live-Evil and Miles Davis at Fillmore: Live at the Fillmore East.

Solo Career

In the 1970s, Jarrett embarked on a successful solo career. His solo piano concerts, particularly The Köln Concert recorded in 1975, are highly acclaimed and have become some of the best-selling piano recordings in history. Jarrett's solo performances are noted for their improvisational nature, blending elements of jazz, classical, and other musical traditions.

The Standards Trio

In the 1980s, Jarrett formed the Standards Trio with Gary Peacock on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. The trio focused on performing jazz standards and became one of the most celebrated groups in jazz. They released numerous albums on the ECM Records label, including Standards, Vol. 1 and Standards, Vol. 2.

Classical Music

In addition to his work in jazz, Jarrett has also pursued a career in classical music. He has recorded works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Dmitri Shostakovich, and other classical composers. His classical recordings have been well received and demonstrate his versatility as a musician.

Personal Life

Jarrett has faced various health challenges throughout his career, including chronic fatigue syndrome and a series of strokes in 2018 that have affected his ability to perform. Despite these challenges, he remains a significant figure in the world of music.

Legacy

Keith Jarrett's contributions to both jazz and classical music have earned him numerous awards and accolades. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest pianists of his generation, and his recordings continue to influence musicians across genres.

Discography

• Facing You (1971)
• The Köln Concert (1975)
• Standards, Vol. 1 (1983)
• Standards, Vol. 2 (1985)
• The Melody at Night, With You (1999)

See Also

• List of jazz pianists
• List of classical pianists
• ECM Records

External Links

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