Airs Sunday, May 8 at 6PM on 93.9 FM
In "An Hour with Keith Jarrett," WNYC examines the remarkable work and career of American pianist and composer Keith Jarrett. Produced and hosted by WNYC culture attaché and The Fishko Files host Sara Fishko, the hour-long special features an exclusive interview recorded at Mr. Jarrett's home in New Jersey. The show originally aired on June 6-8, 2003.
During the interview, the often media-shy Jarrett discussed the process involved in music-making, and elaborated on what he thinks and feels when he's improvising. Over the past 37 years, Keith Jarrett has come to be recognized as one of the most creative and uncompromising musicians of our time - collectively as a brilliant improviser; a master of jazz and classical piano; and as a multifaceted composer.
» Playlist: View a summary of music used in the program.
Polar Music Prize
On May 12, 2003, Jarrett became the first-ever sole recipient of the Polar Music Prize, one of the music world's most prestigious honors. Past recipients include Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar, Dizzy Gillespie and Paul McCartney. Jarrett's many other honors include a Guggenheim Fellowship, several French Grand Prix du Disque and German Deutsche Schallplattenpries awards, and seven Grammy nominations in both jazz and classical categories.
» Polar Music Prize Web site: video, photos, and audio clips
About Keith Jarrett
Born in 1945, Keith Jarrett began playing the piano at the age of three and undertook classical studies throughout his youth - appearing in programs at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia and at Madison Square Garden. In the early 1960's, while still a teenager, he began playing jazz and was soon touring with Art Blakey, then Charles Lloyd, and finally, Miles Davis. By the late '60s, he was leading his own trio with bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Paul Motian and recording as a leader for Atlantic, Columbia and Impulse Records. In the '70s, Jarrett became renowned for his long solo improvisations in concert halls around the world.
Since 1983, Jarrett has been playing standards with bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette, exploring the American songbook of the '30s, '40s, and '50s. The trio's latest release, "Up For It," coincides with its 20th anniversary as a working band. Jarrett's solo recordings include "The Köln Concert, the best-selling solo piano recording of all time, and other prize-winning jazz discs, including "Sun Bear Concerts," "My Song," "Belonging," "The Survivors' Suite," and "Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note." His most recent solo CD, "The Melody At Night With You," was released in 1999 and has become one of the best selling jazz CD's of the past decade.
Additional Resources:
» Jarrett News and Concert Schedule
» Jarrett Biography: ECM Records Web site