Well, as Jarrett turns another year older today, his 80th birthday, what better excuse to dive into the music that showcases the best of his genius and unmistakable sound? Whether you’re a die-hard Jarrett enthusiast or just a tad curious, this essential album guide is here to help you celebrate one of the most influential figures in jazz, one timeless album at a time. So, without further ado, let’s wish the one and only Keith Jarrett a very happy birthday, and get started!
Labelled as the best-selling piano album of all time, unsurprisingly this is top of the list. The Köln Concert saw Jarrett undertake a live improvised concert in 1975, and despite the circumstances leading up to the recording almost causing him to cancel, it remains to this day an absolute masterpiece.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Belonging marked the beginning of Keith Jarrett’s celebrated European Quartet, a unique ensemble blending lyrical jazz with Scandinavian folk, classical, and avant-garde influences. Featuring Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, the album offers a nuanced balance between improvisation and composition.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res+ FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Keith Jarrett’s first solo piano album and his debut recording for ECM Records marked the beginning of one of the most influential artist-label partnerships in jazz. Recorded on his day off whilst touring with Miles Davis, this introspective recording introduced Jarrett’s deeply lyrical signature style.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res+ FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Ambitious and evocative, Arbour Zena is a blend of a jazz trio and a full string orchestra, with pieces composed and arranged by Jarrett. Featuring long-time collaborators Charlie Haden (bass) and Jan Garbarek (saxophone), the album draws inspiration from both jazz improvisation and classical music.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
The start of the Keith Jarrett Standards Trio, featuring bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette, this album acts as a bold return to the Great American Songbook. Breathing new life into classic and familiar standards, this trio deliver masterful ensemble playing and re-invention of classic melodies.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res+ FLAC/ALAC/WAV
After the Fall is a powerful live recording by the Keith Jarrett Standards Trio, captured during a 1998 concert in Newark, New Jersey. The album was recorded just months after Jarrett's return to the stage, following a two-year hiatus due to chronic fatigue syndrome. A triumphant return, this album is full of tracks that encompass vitality and renewal.
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Reuniting after more than 30 years since the American Quartet days, Keith Jarrett and bassist Charlie Haden recorded the duo album Jasmine at Jarrett's home studio in 2007. A selection of ballads and standards, this album demonstrates the chemistry between two musicians who balance spontaneity and integrity with ease.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Though The Köln Concert is by far the most popular and well-known Jarrett concert, this album captures two legendary performances by Keith Jarrett in 1973. This release includes two complete solo piano concerts from Bremen, Germany, and from Lausanne, Switzerland, and demonstrates his earlier explorative and experimental improvisations.
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV
