Keith Jarrett is an American pianist and composer who is regarded as one of the most prominent and influential figures in contemporary jazz and classical music. Born on May 8, 1945, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Jarrett exhibited prodigious musical talent from a young age, starting to play the piano at three and giving his first formal recital at the age of seven. He initially came to prominence in the late 1960s with his work with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and later as part of the Charles Lloyd Quartet, a group that garnered considerable critical and commercial success. However, it was as a leader and solo artist that Jarrett's exceptional improvisational skills and eclectic approach to music fully blossomed.

Best known for his long, solo improvisational concerts which traverse a vast musical landscape, Keith Jarrett has carved a unique space in music history, blending elements of jazz, classical, gospel, and ethnic folk music. His discography includes more than 80 albums, with the unprecedented "The Köln Concert" of 1975 holding the record as the best-selling solo album in jazz history and the all-time best-selling piano album. Even in the more structured realm of classical music, Jarrett's performances and recordings of Bach's works—such as "J.S. Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I"—are acclaimed for their clarity, insight, and emotionality. His most recent live recordings, like "Budapest Concert" and "Munich 2016," continue to add to his legend, reaffirming his status as a titan of the piano. Despite a chronic illness that has at times limited his performing ability, Jarrett's wide-ranging influence and profound musical legacy remain as compelling as ever.

Genres

Bebop

Contemporary Jazz

Contemporary Post-bop

Ecm-style Jazz

Jazz

Jazz Fusion

Jazz Piano

Related Artists

Bill Evans

Chick Corea

Herbie Hancock

Oscar Peterson

Brad Mehldau

Vijay Iyer

McCoy Tyner

Gonzalo Rubalcaba

Esbjörn Svensson

Thelonious Monk

Dave Brubeck

Wynton Marsalis

Latest Release

The Old Country (Live at the Deer Head Inn)

Keith Jarrett•

Gary Peacock•

Paul Motian

Album - 8 Tracks - Released November 8, 2024