The Keith Jarrett Interview

Keith Jarrett is an American jazz pianist and composer born in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1945. He is considered one of the most influential and accomplished jazz musicians of his generation, having recorded dozens of albums as a solo artist and as a leader of various ensembles. Known for his virtuosic piano playing and improvisational skills, Jarrett has been recognized for his unique ability to blend elements of jazz, classical music, and world music into his compositions. He has collaborated with many of the world's top musicians and has received numerous awards throughout his career, cementing his place in the pantheon of jazz greats.

This is my interview with Keith Jarrett.

Special thanks to: Pat Ryan, Keith Williams, David Bendeth, Steve Cloud, Caroline Fontanieu, Martin Geyer, ECM Records and very special thanks to Akiko Jarrett.

[RickBeato]

If you guys want to see me do more travel content and interviews, please consider becoming a member of the Beato Club to enable me to do more of it.

[realbser]

My wife worked at the rehab facility in NJ where Keith was recovering from the stroke. She told me that every day he would go to the lobby and sit at the piano and play as part of his therapy. She had no idea who he was, but when she told me his name I could not believe it. Rick, this interview was just amazing and it’s great to see that Keith continues to do the thing he loves most which is to make magic come out of his piano.

[songsmithy]

This isn't just another interview; it's an important documentation of jazz history. You are doing good work, Rick Beato. Please keep it up.

[wheatthicks]

How do we nominate a YouTube video for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards? Watching Mr. Jarrett listen to himself play Solar was an incredibly touching experience. Thank you so much to everyone who made this happen. 🙏

[Brucknerfan]

After a mountain bike tour, I sat outside on my wooden bench here in Hanover, Germany, enjoyed the cake and found this incredibly inspiring, historical, loving interview. Jarrett, who has been “accompanying“ me for 5 decades, has probably never come this close. I'm not ashamed of my tears!

[markdansky]

It's apparent that he's so happy that you're there with him including him in your great teaching legacy, Rick. I had a friend who had a stroke and lived in the desert and she said you won't believe how beautiful the flowers are here...she said this when it was dry and barren and looked lifeless....she said that you could pour a glass of water anywhere in the dry dirt and the next day there would be a flower growing. You're the glass of water here, Rick, and I honor and thank you for it. Because of you, tens of thousands of people are going to get to know and experience the heart and soul of an intensely reclusive artist who has enriched our lives for decades.

[tasosdardaganis]

"I think i had more hands..." That was heartbreaking... Thank you maestro. For all your music that makes this world a better place.

[IraanOzono]

I was standing in front of a record store in Madison, Wisconsin in the 1970s on the day of a concert by his Standards trio, looking at a display of his albums, when a voice next to me said, "that one is good, and that one, but I don't like that one so much". I looked at the speaker, and, holy moly, it was him! With a Leica camera hanging around his neck. A big thrill from a little encounter!

[DeanSluyter]

Keith makes more music in one hand than most people could with four. Thank you.

[terrellholmes]

I was at Jarrett's last performance at Carnegie Hall, and I'll never forget what he said just before he left the stage: "You're the first audience that's made me cry."

[PavelFomenkov]

Well, it's like a painter would interview Picasso. Amazing, Rick!

[roberthunt]

Who the heck scores interviews with Pat Metheny, Ron Carter and Keith freaking Jarret?! Well, obviously you do! You are creating a beautiful legacy, my friend. The history of jazz thanks you.

[michaelalderete]

Hearing about his strokes in the NYT article, thinking we'd never see him play again, this video repeatedly brought tears to my eyes watching him play one handed. What a gift your interview has been to us, his most devoted fans. Thanks Rick.

[justinwager]

No one else is doing interviews like this, these aren’t cheesy YouTube music how to videos, these are valuable contributions to music history itself…so moving to see Keith and appreciate the true musical genius that he is…

[silentinaway]

For Jarrett to be so clearly comfortable with an interviewer is quite an accolade for Rick. The Beato interviews are well on the way to being the greatest of all time - soon it will be every top musician queueing to be next on Rick's list! And that choice of "Solar" was a phenomenal superhuman performance.

[ChristianFuchsBlues]

This is not just a document about a genius who IS music, but also about time, ageing, and life with its offer to transcend oneself, and its drama and intrinsic tragedy. Very moving!

[brettorrmusic]

Watching him listen to his Solar performance was difficult. You can see him bouncing between joy and sadness, appreciation/surprise and loss.

[carladean]

Aged 77, suffered two strokes and *still* phenomenal.
What a wonderful artist ❤️

[ThePennySams]

It’s like watching him rediscover and appreciate his own staggering genius and its beauty, from our vantage point, but with his ears and sensibility. What a treasure.

[palmerstonpictures]

when keith is playing with his right hand in this interview for rick im holding back tears. bravo. thank you rick.