“Solar”: Keith Jarrett and Miles Davis

Jazz is there and gone. It happens. You have to be present for it. That simple.

-Keith Jarrett

Originally attributed to Miles Davis, the tune Solar was written by the jazz guitarist Chuck Wayne. It was first heard at an intimate 1946 jam session in Oklahoma City. Later, Davis included it on his 1954 album, Walkin’.

Here is an ecstatic improvisation on Solar by the American pianist, Keith Jarrett. The athletic performance took place in Japan in 1987. Laced with sensuous sixths, at moments it feels like an overly exuberant Brahms Hungarian Dance overlaid with Latin American swing.

This trio version, in which Keith Jarrett is joined by bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Jack DeJohnette, was recorded live in Tokyo in 1993:

Here is the original version by Miles Davis:

Recordings

  • Keith Jarrett – Solo Tribute: The 100th Performance in Japan, Keith Jarrett, Amazon
  • Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack De Johnette: Live in Japan 93/96 Amazon
  • Miles Davis: Walkin’, milesdavis.com

Featured Image: an ornamental sunburst on the 1930 Art Deco Eastern Columbia Building in Los Angeles, photograph by Jakob N. Layman

About Timothy Judd

A native of Upstate New York, Timothy Judd has been a member of the Richmond Symphony violin section since 2001. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music where he earned the degrees Bachelor of Music and Master of Music, studying with world renowned Ukrainian-American violinist Oleh Krysa.

The son of public school music educators, Timothy Judd began violin lessons at the age of four through Eastman’s Community Education Division. He was a student of Anastasia Jempelis, one of the earliest champions of the Suzuki method in the United States.

A passionate teacher, Mr. Judd has maintained a private violin studio in the Richmond area since 2002 and has been active coaching chamber music and numerous youth orchestra sectionals.

In his free time, Timothy Judd enjoys working out with Richmond’s popular SEAL Team Physical Training program.

2 thoughts on ““Solar”: Keith Jarrett and Miles Davis”

  1. “ Jazz is there and gone. It happens. You have to be present for it. That simple.” True with all music I guess. Fantastic performances of a gorgeous composition. Thanks Tim as always for featuring jazz – as important as classical in my book.

    Reply
  2. I love classical music and appreciate the new composers (to me) that you introduce. And the historical notes.

    But I love that you sometimes give us a variant like this – jazz or musicals. Gorgeous.

    Reply

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