Keith Jarrett: A masterpiece for the anniversary of his Cologne concert!

Keith Jarrett: A masterpiece for the anniversary of his Cologne concert!

On May 8, 2025, the extraordinary jazz pianist Keith Jarrett celebrated his 80th birthday, an occasion that represents a special occasion for many of his fans in Vienna and beyond. The celebrant is known for his legendary solo concerts and his extraordinary compositions, which have inspired generations of musicians for decades. 2025 is also an important year for Jarrett as it marks the 50th anniversary of his famous “Cologne Concert”. In his unique way of creating music, he has filled countless concert halls worldwide and left an indelible mark on music history.

After suffering two strokes in 2018, Jarrett retired from active music career, which came as a shock to many of his loyal followers. But the music remains alive: On July 9, 2016, a new CD entitled “New Vienna” was recorded at the Vienna Musikverein and has now finally been released. OE1 reports that this album is part of Jarrett's final European tour, during which he presented his improvised solo concerts.

Reinterpretations and contributions from friends

Exciting news for jazz lovers is the work of saxophonist Branford Marsalis, who is working on a reinterpretation of Jarrett's album Belonging. Originally recorded in 1974 with Jarrett's European Quartet, Marsalis' version gives the album a new space for improvisation. In addition to Marsalis, his bandmates Joey Calderazzo (piano), Eric Revis (bass) and Justin Faulkner (drums) are also on board.

There are also other exciting events for fans of Keith Jarrett's original works: On July 2nd, Florian Birklbauer will play the iconic “Cologne Concert” in Vienna, at the Margareten office building. Another highlight will take place on August 24th in the Congress Center Saalfelden, where the formation “The Bad Plus” will perform.

The everlasting magic of his music

Jarrett's musical career is rich in milestones. He is not only known for albums like “The Cologne Concert” and “Facing You”, but also for his remarkable ability to improvise. For example, on July 9, 2016, nine improvised pieces were created in one of the most prestigious concert halls in the world, the Golden Hall of the Vienna Music Association, which impressively demonstrate Jarrett's great talent. Marlbank emphasizes that Jarrett's concerts are characterized by a deep, inner flow, without any prefabricated music or themes.

The musician, a native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, also benefited from numerous jazz experiences in his early career, including performing with greats such as Chet Baker and Lee Konitz. JazzEcho describes how Jarrett captivated audiences from an early age and documents his enormous diversity, both in jazz improvisation and in classical music.

Keith Jarrett may no longer be active on stage, but his music continues to be carried forward - both through his own recordings and through the artists who reinterpret and celebrate his work. In this sense, Jarrett's influence continues, continuing to provide a source of inspiration and wonder to both old and new generations of music lovers.