After hearing American jazz pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal (1930-2023) deliver a refined, minimalist performance of the Latin standard, Poinciana, Keith Jarrett remarked,
This is swinging more than anything I’ve been listening to, but they’re doing less. What’s the secret here?
A similar effortless cool groove emerges in a performance of Poinciana featuring the Keith Jarrett Trio, recorded at the Palais des congrès de Paris on July 5, 1999. The concert can be heard on the Whisper Not album. In full form, Jarrett was returning to the stage after being sidelined for two years with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Named after a Caribbean flowering plant, Poinciana has roots in a Cuban folk song entitled, “La Canción del Árbol.” It was adapted in 1936 by composer Nat Simon and lyricist Buddy Bernier.
Pianist Keith Jarrett is joined by drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Gary Peacock:
Recordings
- Keith Jarrett Trio: Poinciana (Whisper Not), Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette, Gary Peacock Amazon