Keith Jarrett / Gary Peacock / Jack DeJohnette
If I have to be true to the stereotype of the blogger and complain at all about last night, then all I that can find would be that Jack DeJohnette was occasionally overbalancing. This was an approach which worked well in Ornette Coleman’s “When will the Blues leave?” with rims and casings producing unusual and anarchic textures, but less so at other times.
But, in the final analysis, are the seekers-out of controversy and small gripes really representative, well, of anybody? On the evidence of last night’s packed Royal Festival Hall concert by the Keith Jarrett Standards Trio with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, it is clear that the population of devotees, accumulated over decades, is larger, by far, than that of the malcontents.
One didn’t have to look very far to see the way in which the audience takes Jarrett to its heart. I noticed a man in a seat near me reaching out to find his wife’s hand in the particularly melting introduction to Jerome Kern’s “Yesterdays.” I also read the spontaneous reaction of pianist Andrew McCormack on Facebook last night: “The intro to ‘In Your Own Sweet Way’ was worth the admission price alone!”
But most telling was the audience’s reaction to the end of the official second set. There was whooping, cheering. A significant proportion of the spectators was up on its feet. And they were duly rewarded. The first encore, “God bless the child” was by my watch not far short of fifteen minutes long, and was followed by three others.
Reputation is a lagging indicator. Jarrett is back on form.
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I was lucky enough to be at the concert with my son and his partner. A great evening, I don't think I've ever come across a pianist who plays ballads as well as Jarrett. There is a wonderful synergy between the Trio, perhaps not surprising given how long they've been together. I never thought I'd get the chance to see them live but they made a 300 mile journey really worthwhile for me.
Keith Jarrett Trio playing 'All the things you are ' …
WOW is the exclamation for this simmering, tingling performance; Jarrett knows where he is going with this Jazz Standards and carries the rhythm with absolute rapport and wizardy.
Girish