Standards, Vol. 1

Artist: Keith Jarrett Trio
Total time: 45:33
Label: ECM
Availability: Sold out
Item #: 20068313

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Review

In January of 1983, Keith Jarrett returned to the trio format and his collaboration with bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette resulted in three albums. The first release finds the trio digging into five standards with "God Bless the Child" being dragged out (although not unmercifully) for 15 minutes. The performances, which usually do not swing in a conventional sense, do have a momentum of their own. Jarrett is generous in allocating solo space to Peacock and it is obvious that the three musicians were listening very closely to each other. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

One of the major jazz pianists of the past 40 years, Keith Jarrett has had a wide-ranging and very productive career. Jarrett, who began playing piano when he was three and was considered a child prodigy, was a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1965), the very popular Charles Lloyd Quartet (1966-68) and Miles Davis' fusion band (1969-72), three very different groups but all rewarding experiences. Although he had to play electric keyboards in the latter, after leaving Davis, Jarrett chose to stick exclusively to acoustic piano.

While he led a pair of notable combos in the 1970s, an American group with tenor-saxophonist Dewey Redman and a European counterpart with Jan Garbarek, Jarrett became famous for his solo concerts. Improvising freely, Jarrett utilized bluesy ideas, repetition and logical development expertly while being very spontaneous.

In 1985, Jarrett formed a trio with bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette, a group that has continued to work and tour on a fairly regular basis in the 20 years since. Among its first recordings was Standards, Volume 1. The magic between the three musicians was present from the start and enabled them to stretch out on a variety of classic material without merely copying the past. Volume 1 has Meaning of the Blues, All the Things You Are, It Never Entered My Mind, The Masquerade is Over and a 15-minute version of God Bless the Child. While one would never think of associating those vintage songs with Jarrett, the trio makes each piece sound fresh and personal.

This historic and very musical set features a jazz master at his best.

-Scott Yanow