2023-12-10 11:37:21
Keith Jarrett
by Ludovic Florin
Éditions du Layeur, 390 p., €45
This beautiful book reflects the artistic temperament of Keith Jarrett, an American pianist born in 1945, celebrated in the sphere of jazz, but also esteemed in that of classical music. The volume possesses the originality and formal liberality of this brilliant improviser, as well as all the rigor of the scrupulous interpreter of masters such as Bach, father and son, Handel, Mozart and Shostakovich.
Ludovic Florin offers a tour of the artist’s discography, from his participation in 1966 in the jazz groups of Art Blakey, Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis, to his final classical recordings in the service of Jean-Sébastien Bach, in 2010. Without forgetting, of course, his exceptional solo performances or within his own ensembles, notably alongside percussionist Jack DeJohnette.
Accuracy and analysis
The completeness is further magnified by the wealth of information accompanying each of the 127 references listed: date, place and context, collaborating musicians, titles and label – ECM since 1971 with the Cologne Concert from 1975, this album has become legendary.
These documentary scruples, however, are in no way off-putting for the reader. The format of the book is reminiscent of that of the “vinyl” cases of the golden age of the LP and each of the covers is reproduced in real size, unfolding a very attractive graphic portfolio. Welcome breaks also punctuating the succession of records to sketch an artistic biography of Keith Jarrett. They also bring to light the technical and aesthetic singularities of a decidedly extraordinary musician.
1702209628
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