ON THIS DAY: KEITH JARRETT'S KÖLN CONCERT 50TH ANNIVERSARY
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 FROM 21:00 AND SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 AT 14:00
A subpar rehearsal piano, persistent back pain, and exhaustion from a long journey were the ominous ingredients for the first jazz concert ever held at the Köln Opera House. Yet, pianist Keith Jarrett (*1945) not only overcame these obstacles during his legendary January 24, 1975, Cologne performance, but they also led to the most celebrated solo jazz album in history. Today, half a century after the fabled concert, "The Köln Concert" remains the benchmark against which aspiring lyrical jazz pianists are judged. Stingray DJAZZ delves into the early days of Jarrett’s remarkable career and broadcasts a 1966 recording of saxophonist Charles Lloyd’s quartet in Brussels, featuring the budding pianist, on Friday, January 24 at 21:00. Immediately after this broadcast, Stingray DJAZZ presents Jarrett's 1986 Estival Jazz Lugano concert featuring his ‘Standards Trio’. Following the pianist's tremendous solo successes in the 1970s, he continued to explore new musical territories with this consummate trio from the early 1980s to the 2010s. As Jarrett’s Köln concert catapulted the popularity of solo jazz piano recitals, Stingray DJAZZ celebrates this subtle art by broadcasting a veritable Solo Piano Summit, recorded in Stuttgart in 2002, starring Jarrett’s senior colleague Junior Mance (1928-2021) and featuring younger pianists Jacky Terrasson (1965), Bill Charlap (1966), Geoffrey Keezer (1970), and Alex Wilson (1971), on Saturday, January 25 at 14:00. Immerse yourself in the finest jazz piano on Stingray DJAZZ!
Charles Lloyd Quartet live in Brussels
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 AT 21:00
Since 1960, the legendary saxophonist Charles Lloyd has lent his adventurous, lyrical sound to collaborations with likes of Cannonball Adderley, Keith Jarrett and The Beach Boys. His early and highly successful experiments blending jazz and rock music charted a path that led to the electric fusion of Miles Davis and The Headhunters, while his exploration of spirituality and transcendental meditation added a new depth to his sound. Lloyd moves from hard swing to subtle ballads, blending gorgeous textures and Eastern influences. This 1966 recording features Lloyd’s quartet, accompanied by Keith Jarrett (piano), Cecil McBee (double bass) and Jack DeJohnette (drums), playing some of Lloyd’s own compositions.
Keith Jarrett - Estival Jazz Lugano
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 OM 21:30
Lugano Estival Jazz is an annual open-air music festival that takes place over five days at the picturesque city of Lugano, Switzerland. Since 1979, this musical Mecca has been a must-attend event for all jazz and world music fans worldwide. On July 3, 1986, American pianist and composer Keith Jarrett is joined by bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette at Estival Jazz Lugano. Known as the Standards Trio, they put on an enthralling performance that shows these master musicians at their best.
Solo Piano Summit
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 AT 14:00
When renowned jazz pianists of the old and new school meet at a "Solo Piano Summit," audiences are treated to many an interesting musical surprise. The "Solo Piano Summit" brings together a handful of top pianists with different musical backgrounds: Jacky Terrasson, Junior Mance, Geoff Keezer, Bill Charlap and Alex Wilson. Besides solo performances the all-stars used the occasion for spontaneous interplay, improvisation and a fantastic finale - in short for the pleasure of virtuoso jazz piano playing.
