Dennis Russell Davies interview about Keith Jarrett (in German)

A 23-minute interview with Dennis Russell Davies about his collaborations with Keith Jarrett was broadcast by MDR Klassik, a German radio station, in early December 2021.

“When Dennis Russell Davies talks to Keith Jarrett – on the phone or at Jarrett’s home – they look back fondly on concerts they’ve played together and on great moments at his home, where the musician still lives.” (DeepL translation)

Davies has visited Keith Jarrett several times since his stroke. As we know, Keith has lost most of his ability to play the piano. He won’t be able to play in front of an audience anymore, but he’s still playing for himself. Davies witnessed Keith improvise on the piano, playing only with his right hand. Davies was enthusiastic about it and hopes that Keith will compose new music in the near future.

Thanks to Arnulf for the link and the summary of the interview.

“Keith Jarrett: A portrait” by Roberto Masotti

Yet another book release I missed. I thought it was only available as a limited edition, but it has actually been available as a regular edition since February 5, 2021. Thanks to Allen for letting me know.

“Keith Jarrett: A portrait” by Roberto Masotti

The book is available from ECM, among other places.

“In this series of photographs that I observe with a retrospective gaze, I play with the concept of presence, that one of the body and the one of the instrument, which appear and disappear in the image. The photos are the result of my intimate and objective attention to an artist who I have followed and admired for a long time, but these pictures represent also his response that is conscious acceptance, and above all, participation. His sound, the only one, is made of peculiar music that this series of photographs aims to evoke and make resound.” -Roberto Masotti

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Limited re-release of “Sun Bear Concerts” on vinyl to be released on February 19, 2021

A limited facsimile edition of the 10-LP Sun Bear Concerts box set will be released on February 19, 2021. In 2019, 350 copies were pressed and released in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This time, 2000 numbered copies have been pressed and will be distributed internationally.

Sun Bear Concerts – the acclaimed, 1978 box set from jazz pianist Keith Jarrett – is making its way back to vinyl for the first time in more than 40 years. Available February 19 via ECM, the 10-LP set includes five complete solo concerts by Jarrett, captured in Japan in November 1976.

Limited to 2000 copies, the individually-numbered release will offer fans an exact replica of the original box set, including a reprint of the collection’s 16-page booklet. The audio, meanwhile, has been freshly remastered from the original analog tapes.

Thanks to Christoph for the information.

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English translation of “Keith Jarrett: A Biography” available

Chris Jarrett’s translation of Wolfgang Sandner’s book has been published in November 2020 by Equinox Publishing.

Keith Jarrett: A biography
Keith Jarrett: A biography

Few writers have come as close to Keith Jarrett as Wolfgang Sandner, who has not only closely followed Jarrett’s remarkable career from the 1960s, but has also had the opportunity to visit him in his home in the United States. For this biography, which is full of detailed musical analysis and cross-references to other artistic genres, Sandner has collected new information about Jarrett’s family background, much of which is thanks to the translator, Keith Jarrett’s youngest brother Chris. The book explores Jarrett’s work with other musicians, in particular the members of his American and European Quartets and his Standards Trio, it charts the development of his solo concerts, and it also investigates his work in the classical sphere, as well as the highly original music he has created in his own home studio. It also covers his associations with his various record labels and producers, notably his unparalleled relationship with ECM and its founder Manfred Eicher. This English edition is a significantly extended and updated version of the German original.

Thanks to Chris Jarrett for letting me know. I somehow totally missed it!

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