Keith Jarrett: Masterclass

Keith Jarrett (piano; b. 1945)

For me, Keith Jarrett is the Arnold Schoenberg of the jazz. As Schoenberg's phenomenal creativity deconstructed the idioms of classical music, so too has Jarrett transformed the thoughts of jazz and the how the piano is heard and felt. Keith Jarrett's dense, emotional and yet sparse technique has mystified audiences for over five decades.

His talent first shone during stints with groups led Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis in the late 60s and early 70s. Jarrett would go on to led successful solo, trio and quartet recordings, all of which feature unparalleled dynamism. Such a daunting task it is to name my favourite Jarrett album I won't begin to open an argument here today. I have chosen to focus on one album that I have been listening to a lot over the past few days. For no other reason than the fact of matter that I found The Vienna Concert (ECM Records) out of place on my CD shelf that I put it on recently to just see if I remember the album. It has been on permanent rotation for since the beginning of the months (yeah I know its only 10 days but whatever).

The Vienna Concert is a highly inventive and technical masterclass of a solo performance. It features one piece split into two parts. "Vienna Part I" is the more rigid and structural, highlighting a more introspective nature and thought-provoking aspect that leaves the listener focused squarely on Jarrett's movement on the keys and where he will go next. It also showcases Jarrett's extensive classical training in its execution. "Vienna Part II" is an almost free flowing jazz infused affair that truly shows how Jarrett is far and away the best pianist of his last half century.

One aspect of all Jarrett live performances is his weird ability to become so emotional involved in the performance that he begins to sing or hum along to the piece which to many newcomers could be off-putting but it is essential to understanding Keith Jarrett the musician. The Vienna Concert was recorded between a number excellent quartet albums that featured Jarrett regulars, Charlie Haden, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette and Paul Motain. Although Jarrett had also recorded solo at the time, nothing like Vienna compared to it since his critically acclaimed Koln Concert in 1975 (also highly recommended).

I think if you haven't heard Keith Jarrett before this is not a bad place to start. While there are at least three good compilations available from spanning three different time periods, none of them are truly worth it for the uninitiated. So you are much better off picking up an individual Keith Jarret album. Many of his quartet albums featuring any of the above artists won't disappoint. If you want an absolutely perfect solo performance that you will come back to time and time again, look no further than The Vienna Concert.

The Intersection: The Sandals

The Sandals (group; 1994)

The Sandals were an unfortunately short-lived Acid Jazz band from the mid-nineties. While influenced more by soul jazz they were of the first and few Acid Jazz bands to sign to a major label and have a moderately successful hit with "Feet" (the other major hit makers of the period were Brand New Heavies and Jamiroquai). The London based quartet emerged out of the burgeoning club scene with their only album, Rite To Silence (Universal).

Rite To Silence utilized a wonderful mixture of percussion and jazzy rhythms that were definitely ahead of the curve. This to me, was a real precursor to the electronica/trip hop/drum n' bass scene that would follow, led by artists like Roni Size, Portishead, Rae & Christian, et al. Rite To Silence is a deep, heavy groove leaden album that quickly become infectious. It's a real disappointment that The Sandals didn't have a chance to really make it big. I think their creativity and inventiveness might have changed more than just the British underground scene. Rite To Silence is still available, surprisingly. If you don't find it in your local record shop you can definitely find it available as a download.

Empirical: The New UK Hard Bop

Empirical (group; 2007)

Empirical are the latest in what is becoming an endless list of very solid groups coming from the U.K. at the moment. This London based quartet are steep in the John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman tradition of eclectic hard bop. Empirical utilize their influences with great skill and technical ease making their two albums, 2007's self titled debut and 2009's sophomore effort, Out'n'In immensely enjoyable.

Out'n'In (Naim Jazz) is a tribute to the legendary saxophonist, Eric Dolphy and his landmark Out To Lunch album. The music is definitely as challenging as Eric Dolphy, but delivers it in an incredible accessible manner that will find even the non-jazz listener stand up and appreciate the band's fast-growing popularity. This is an album that flows effortlessly, beginning with "Out But In" and features two covers of Dolphy tunes while closing out with the lovely "Bowden Out".

Empirical, in addition to Acoustic Ladyland and Polar Bear, may be the three bands to watch in 2010. The UK jazz scene hasn't been this hot in years. Empirical can be one of the leaders of the pack that could very well break out on this side of the Atlantic...I hope. For everyone who wants to check them out, go to their webisite and download the FREE 4 track Empirical Live At Ronnie Scotts Ep. (You might want to download the tracks individually instead of all at once. I had a little trouble. You can listen to it on your iPod or other MP3 player.) And did I mention it's FREE.

Marc Copland: The Quiet American

Marc Copland (piano, b. 1948)


Marc Copland is a highly accomplished pianist with an astute approach to performing that is both introspective and emotional. He is a prolific performer with over 15 albums in the last 10 years. That's more than most artists in any genre. If you haven't guessed it, he is definitely one of those undiscovered treasures.

I have to admit I have only just recently gotten into his music in the last two to three years. I had always known the name but never paid any attention until I borrowed a trio session featuring one of my favourite bassists, Drew Gress and John Rueckert (drums) entitled Some Love Songs (Pirouet). He has collaborated with some the greatest jazz musicians of recent times including, Gary Peacock, John Abercrombie, Bill Stewart, Randy Brecker and Greg Osby to name a few. Many of his collaborations in recent years have been duo or trio recordings, all of which I highly recommend.

Copland started his career as a saxophonist before switching to piano in the mid-eighties. Since then his career has taken off and his style has been revered by students and his contemporaries alike. His most recent album is simply titled Alone (Pirouet) and is a beautiful solo album of delicate entries including a number of pieces from the Joni Mitchell cannon. This may be the perfect way for anyone unfamiliar with Copland to start out.

He does have a very vast catalog but you will be very satified if you seek out one of the trio sessions he recently recorded entitled The New York Trio Recordings Vol. I - III (Pirouet) which appear to be the easiest of his catalog to find in stores and online. While highly regarded overseas, his profile is limited in his native U.S. but hopefully more people will discover this truly underrated musician. Check out Marc Copland's version of the standard Milestones.