Share thoughts on Keith Jarrett


Last night, I saw Keith Jarrett performing solo at the Symphony Center. Tremendously emotional concert with four encores. Now, this is why I'm posting: The person who I was supposed to attend the concert with, informed me, on Tuesday night, that she couldn't go. "No problem", I thought: "Who wouldn't jump at the chance to see Keith Jarrett live", a performer who I consider to be right up there with the likes of Davis, Monk, and Coltrane, all jazz elite and all household names. It took me two full days to find someone who even heard of this guy. I'll continue to hold him in place of high esteem regardless of the comments I get here, but I'm curious: Am I incorrect to place him so highly, or are their others who find his relative anonymity amazing?
phaelon
I personally love his music. And yes some of his ECM recordings are stellar on LP and CD...Up there with Miles etc? I don't know...but who cares...just listen some more :)
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Very talented but too slick sounding for my tastes.Reminds me of Al Jarreau.No were near the likes of Davis,Monk or Coltrane.
I am a big fan and for sure his ECM recordings are phenomenal. I think he is very well known within the relatively small niche of jazz afficionados. But beyond that circle it will be hard to find folks who are familiar with him, let alone Tomasz Stanko, Charlie Haden, Dave Holland, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, etc...These are hardly pop sensations but very well known in the world of jazz.
I personally think he is a wonderul musician. He's not popular (or known) the way pop or rock musicians are, but he is probably the most popular jazz musician today - if one measures popularity in terms of how big a venue a performer can fill.