Keith Jarrett

Keith Jarrett (born May 8, 1945 in Allentown, Pennsylvania) is considered one of the most important living jazz piano players. His career started as a keyboardist for Art Blakey, Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis. Since the early 1970s, he has enjoyed a great deal of success in both classical and jazz music, as a group leader and a solo performer.

Early years

Born on Victory in Europe Day (the day the Allies celebrated victory in Europe following World War II), Jarrett grew up in Allentown with significant exposure to music. In his teens, he learned jazz, quickly becoming proficient. He moved from Allentown to Boston, where he attended the Berklee School of Music and played cocktail piano. After about a year in Boston, Jarrett moved to New York City, where he played at the renowned Village Vanguard club. While in New York, Art Blakey hired him to play with his Jazz Messengers band, and he subsequently became a member of the Charles Lloyd Quartet (a group which included Jack DeJohnette, a frequent musical partner over the rest of Jarrett's career). The Lloyd quartet's 1966 album Forest Flower was one of the most successful jazz recordings of the late sixties. Jarrett also started to record as a leader at this time, in a trio with Charlie Haden and Paul Motian.

Related Topics:
Victory in Europe Day - Boston - Berklee School of Music - New York City - Village Vanguard - Art Blakey - Jack DeJohnette - 1966 - Charlie Haden - Paul Motian

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When the Charles Lloyd quartet came to an end, Jarrett was asked to join the Miles Davis group, after Miles heard Jarrett in a New York City club. First, Jarrett played electric organ and, after Chick Corea left the group, he played the electric piano. Despite Jarrett's dislike of amplified music and electric instruments, he stayed on out of his respect for Davis and his wish to work again with DeJohnette. Jarrett can be heard on two of Davis's albums, At Fillmore and Live-Evil.

Related Topics:
Miles Davis - Electric organ - Chick Corea - Electric piano

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