Collection: KEITH JARRETT: THE MUSICAL HERITAGE SOCIETY RECORDINGS

Keith Jarrett is a profoundly influential American pianist and composer, widely regarded as one of the most significant improvisers in modern music. Emerging in the vibrant jazz scene of the 1960s, Jarrett quickly gained recognition for his virtuosic technique and stylistic versatility, performing with giants like Art Blakey, Charles Lloyd, and Miles Davis, notably contributing to Davis's fusion era.

Jarrett truly revolutionized solo piano performance in the 1970s with his legendary series of completely improvised concerts. The most famous of these, The Köln Concert (1975), recorded under challenging circumstances, became an unexpected global phenomenon and remains one of the best-selling piano albums of all time. These solo performances showcased his unique ability to spontaneously weave intricate, emotionally resonant tapestries drawing from jazz, classical, gospel, folk, and ethnic music traditions.

Beyond his solo work, Jarrett led critically acclaimed groups, including his dynamic American and European Quartets. For over 30 years, his iconic "Standards Trio," featuring bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette, explored the Great American Songbook with unparalleled creativity and telepathic interplay, setting a benchmark for piano trio performance.

Known for his intense concentration, lyrical depth, wide dynamic range, and distinctive physical engagement (including audible vocalizations), Jarrett demands pristine acoustic settings for his performances. While primarily a jazz artist, he has also recorded classical works. Despite recent health issues curtailing his performing career, Keith Jarrett's vast body of work solidifies his legacy as a unique, uncompromising, and transformative figure in 20th and 21st-century music.