Is Keith Jarret the most versatile pianist?

[presto agitato]

I say yes. The man plays Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Jazz, Blues, New Age.

He is also a master of improvisation.

Do you agree?

[the_prodigy]

who can't?









                               the_prodigy

[fnork]

Absolutely agreed! He has in fact been my favourite musician for a long time, saw him in Copenhagen this summer and planning to go to Rome in november to see him solo for the first time...

He made solo piano improvisations more popular as the Köln concert got released, which still is the best selling pianosolo album in history. He wrote wonderful tunes for his European and American quartets, and his standard trio which I heard in Copenhagen still sounds great. Not only does he perform classical composers from baroque to our time, but he composes some too. "Bridge of light" is a CD with his compositions, including a violin sonata and orchestral works. Some of them are really good. (although I like him better as an improvisor)

For people who think that anyone can do this, go to two different of his solo concerts and you'll most often hear two completely different things. And remember that he has done hundreds of solo concerts, for over 35 years.... That gives you an idea of what a genious he is.

[brewtality]

are you talking of all time or living? if the former my vote goes to ziff.

[JK]

the_prodigy wrote:

who can't?









                               the_prodigy

Are you as arrogant as you look?

[ted]

For me, Jarrett's most important achievement is that he has told the world that free improvisation is "all right". Outside jazz it has been treated as a poor relation of formal performance and composition for too long.

Jarrett happens to be the most famous of those who play everything, but there are many others just as versatile but lesser known. Also, many known for just one style actually play a lot of other things in private. Both Waller and Johnson were good classical players, as are the ragtimers Scott Kirby and Frank French in the present day. Previn and Peterson are both accomplished in more than one field, Iturbi played jazz, as does Barenboim.

[BoliverAllmon]

I honestly don't like his music interpetation of classical music.

[Spatula]

the_prodigy wrote:

who can't?







                               the_prodigy

Are you as arrogant as you look?

...yes

(i have to answer for him because his ego is ummm ...how shall I put this... fat!")

[Pierre_Bezuhov]

I think you jave a point there presto.

[Brian Healey]

Maybe not THE most, but most definitely one of the most versatile pianists of all time. He may not be the best interpreter of classical music, but when your scope is as broad as his, you can't expect to be the best in every category. Personally, with Jarrett, I enjoy listening to his music much more than witnessing it. I've seen him live a number of times, and he always plays at a high level. However, anyone who has heard his music knows that he moans and vocalizes while he plays, which I dislike, and when you see him live, you get the added "drama" of his way ridiculous body movements. I find it very annoying, but I have learned to look past his annoying mannerisms and appreciate the music he makes.

Considering just jazz and classical, I find Bill Evans to be the most versatile pianist. Evans had superb technique, but it was always understated. Glenn Gould even once remarked that he admired Bill Evans' technique and tone. Unfortunately for us, Evans never officially released any classical recordings (bootleg recordings are around), but you can easily tell from his playing that he was a master of the classical repertoire. I've heard some of the bootleg Bill Evans interpretations of classical music, and they are way better in my opinion that anything Jarrett did in the classical field. Evans was also a legendary sight-reader, being able to make the toughest pieces of piano literature sound like the finished product during the first playing. But enought of my Evans worshipping.....

[fnork]

From Jarretts classical stuff, I've only heard Shostakovich, Pärt and some Händel. All I've heard sounds really good, in my opinion, especially Shostakovich. Haven't heard anyone else do them better than him, actually.
He's mostly an improvisor and a jazzman, but I think his classical music is great too.

[presto agitato]

He made solo piano improvisations more popular as the Köln concert got released, which still is the best selling pianosolo album in history.

I prefer "The Paris Concert"

[lenny]

perhaps he is, but im absolutely positive that many 'ordinary classical' pianists could play as wide a range of musical styles as him if they wanted to.

look at marc-andre hamelin, he plays baroque, classical, romantic, 20th century, sometimes improvises awesomely, and can play jazz(kapustin etc)

[orlandopiano]

I say yes. The man plays Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Jazz, Blues, New Age.

Don't forget world music.  His hidden gem Spirits is actually one of my favorite Jarrett albums.  It's a double disc set of his own world music using ethnic instruments of all kinds, Pakistani flute, guitar, sax, Indian tablas etc. He recorded it on his own 4 track at home, and never intended it to be released. He plays every instrument on the album.

And yes, Jarrett is as versatile as any pianist in the world. I think he is the single greatest improvisor in jazz history, and that's saying an awful lot.

[mla]

Sorry, I am not a pianist ( I am a sax player ).
So my opinion is out of "vote" here
Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea are my favorite pianists.
I constantly listen classical music in the morning and jazz in the evening.
And include classical pieses in my daily practice.

I read this thread and put one of Keith's dvd's... Amazing!
Last summer I had a chance to see him live. It's his second visit to Montreal since
1990.
Last summer was 25th Montrea International jazz fest.
Sure I was on 3 Chick Corea's concerts and of corse Oscar Peterson's.
Oscar Peterson performed with a trio and Oliver Jones.
It was the last concert of Jazz fest. Both "guys" are Montrealers that's why it was a kind of special...
Keith is  a genious. For me it's a fact (sorry). And he was presented as a genious
before the concert began. His reaction was very original.
And the crowd applaused 5 minutes...
Sorry for such a long post. I just admire Keith Jarrett.
... go to listen his cd "24 preludes and fugues op.87 by Shostacovich.

I very, very like this forum.
Michael.

[lenny]

which dvd would you recommend?

id like to see him in action, where can i see online vids too?

[fnork]

The "Tokyo 96" is one of few that I've seen. It's awesome, you should check it out.

[mla]

I have:
"Standards"- he plays with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette.
"Keith Jarrett Trio Concert"- cd name is "Tokyo 96" (what fnork called awesome
"Solo Tribute. The 100th Performance In Japan"

For me all of them are awesome.

I know that some people don't like Keith's "dancing" and "groaning".
I see his playing as transfer to "Keith Jarrett dimension" and now cannot imagine
him without that.
Here are the links to ebay dvd's bargain prices.
After bidding it can go hire, but still...

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=617&item=6367669488&rd=1

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=617&item=6367334977&rd=1

here is good info and not annoing subscribtion:
www.keithjarrett.org

Michael.

[fnork]

By the way, "Tokyo 84" is also a good video where he improvises solo piano. I love the music, although I could live without the video..

[lenny]

By the way, "Tokyo 84" is also a good video where he improvises solo piano. I love the music, although I could live without the video..

does this mean he isnt very entertaining to watch?

i ordered 1 DVD to see what hes like, ive heard he makes langlang look tame! 

[mla]

First, I listen Keith Jarrett for 15 years.
Year ago I got his first DVD and last summer I saw him live...
I was "going craisy" on him when I listened his first tune "Country".
After I read his bio and bought many cds...
My 18 years old son "knows" him really well and I proud of that.
He plays some parts of Jarret's "Koln concert". I found a nice transcription of it.
For me Keith Jarrett is a BIG musician and man...
I wish you a good discovery...

Regards.
Michael.

[fnork]

does this mean he isnt very entertaining to watch?

i ordered 1 DVD to see what hes like, ive heard he makes langlang look tame! 

haha! I like the way he looks on stage. I've seen him live twice, one solo concert in Rome last year and with the trio in Copenhagen last summer. I'm not sure if you'll find the way he looks "entertaining". I feel that everything he does - body movements, groaning etc etc - is totally connected to the music. Sometimes, the things he does can make you like the music even more. But if you're comparing to langlang, yes, he does make him look lame Does langlang sing (out of tune, mostly) or groan while he's playing? Does he stand upright in front of the piano? Banging with his feet? Looking like he's having sex with the piano? No. But Jarrett does that sometimes 

I don't know, maybe you'll find it entertaining. But to me, it's just a part of the process of making great music.

[mla]

Entertainment? 

Pure music.

Piano god meditates.