Keith Jarrett’s My Song is infused with a sublime simplicity and directness. It first appeared as the title track on a 1978 studio album featuring Jarrett with his “European Quartet.” (The collaboration involved the Scandinavian jazz musicians, Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen). Over the years, My Song returned in Jarrett’s improvisatory solo piano concerts. It has become a standard with other jazz artists such as guitarist Pat Metheny.
Here is a performance from Keith Jarrett’s December 12, 1978 solo piano concert in Tokyo. The venue was the enormous Budokan, an indoor arena frequented by rock and pop acts. Performing acoustically, Jarrett was positioned on a stage in the middle of the arena, surrounded by an audience of 12,000.
Jarrett’s intimate melody opens the door to an adventurous and moving improvisation filled with longing and ultimate repose.
Recordings
- Jarrett: My Song, Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson, Jon Christensen Amazon
Featured Image: photograph by Henry Leutwyler