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

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

Wien, Österreich - On May 8, 2025, the extraordinary jazz pianist Keith Jarrett celebrated his 80th birthday, an opportunity that is a special occasion for many of his fans in Vienna and beyond. The jubilee is known for its legendary solo concerts and its extraordinary compositions, which have inspired generations of musicians for decades. Also in 2025 is an important year for Jarrett because it marks the 50th anniversary of its famous "Cologne Concert". In his unique way of creating music, he has filled countless concert halls worldwide and left an indelible impression in music history.

After two strokes in 2018, Jarrett retired from the active music career, which was a shock for many of his loyal fans. But the music stays alive: On July 9, 2016, a new CD entitled "New Vienna" was recorded in the Vienna Music Association, which has now finally been published. Oe1 reports that this album is part of Jarrett's last European tour, during which he presented his improvised solo concert.

new interpretations and contributions from friends

An exciting news for jazz lovers is the work of the saxophonist Branford Marsalis, who is working on a reinterpretation of Jarrett's album "Belonging". Originally recorded in 1974 with Jarrett's "European Quartet", the album in Marsalis ’version receives a new room for improvisations. In addition to Marsalis, his bandmates Joey Calderazzo (Piano), Eric Revis (bass) and Justin Faulkner (drums) are on board.

For the fans of Keith Jarrett's original works, there are also other exciting events: On July 2, Florian Birklbauer in Vienna, in the district center Margareten, will play the iconic "Cologne Concert". Another highlight will take place on August 24th in the Congress Center Saalfelden, where the "The Bad Plus" formation occurs.

The imperishable magic of his music

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

The musician, born in allentown, Pennsylvania, also benefited from numerous experiences in the jazz area in his early career, among other things through joint appearances with greats such as Chet Baker and Lee Konitz. Jazzecho describes how Jarrett captivated the audience in his early years, and documents his enormous diversity, both in the jazzy improvisation as well as in classical music.

Keith Jarrett may no longer be active on stage, but his music is always carried - both through his own recordings and by the artists who reinterpret and celebrate his work. In this sense, Jarrett's influence is unbroken and offers both the old and the new generations of music lovers a source of inspiration and amazement.