Keith Jarrett’s standards trio played to a packed Royal Festival Hall last night (27 July) Made up of Jarrett (on Steinway) bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette, this was a evening of intensely beautiful music played by true masters of their craft. 

Again, we find ourselves experiencing a concert far from the norm (for us) but with an affection for the ECM label back in the Seventies I just felt inclined to try, a live high profile live jazz recital at last.

 

A very respectful audience saw the trio arrive on stage at 7.40 pm take a deep bow, play fifty minutes of sublime music, 'St. Louis Blues', 'In Your Own Sweet Way', 'Sandu', & 'What Now My Love', and retire for a break. The second half included 'Yesterdays', followed by' When will the Blues Leave'  with added drum magic.Four encores followed as the trio left and rejoined the stage that many times.

 

At the end of the gig I did wonder if this was the path for an aging concert goer. Comfortable seat, no earplugs required, early start, early finish, no rush to get the last train. A few years down the road I think but with a combined aged on stage of around 200 I guess, this was certainly an evening for the musical connoisseur.

 

The sound balance levels and tone were pitch perfect throughout, rather like an ECM vinyl recording. Jarrett’s playing was actually quite stunning, fingers flowing across the piano or, bent low over the instrument picking out the most delicate notes that would even make an angel weep. 

 It became clear that I need to add a ’new great drummer’ to the list of Neil Peart and Billy Cobham. Jack DeJohnette is unwaveringly talented I have never seen a drummer play a full kit in such a quiet, and restrained manner. Every part of the instrument in used even the sides of the kit, as his face, like that of Gary Peacock, is strained with concentration. Gary Peacock was the pivot point of the trio laying down the bass as the foundation of the music floating around him.

 

During the encore period the audience were on their feet even a few people brave or foolish enough to resort to flash photography (there were no press photographers there) … Jack DeJohnette  then mentioning that “we should use our ears and forget about the snapping”. Indeed, at points during the concert, you did find yourself involuntarily shutting your eyes as the music flowed. So I guess point well made.

 

Keith Jarrett is apparently known for his temper on stage, hence the pretty much silence from everyone I guess but, (from a non Jazz concert expert point of view), that seemed to send an electric tension around the hall, only slightly relived during the encores. The musician themselves however, seem to feed off of that.

 

Our eclectic month of gigs containing Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Irma Thomas and Keith Jarrett have proved refreshing and touched on the wide variety of music out there that, we are all blessed with.

 

Pete

 

 

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