this video is beyond words

Labels: miles

Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock & Jack DeJohnette

Immediately following their appearance at the Umbria Jazz Festival this past summer the backlash at Keith Jarrett's comments to the audience seemed to send a certain level of outrage through jazz circles. I read everything from listeners that discarded of their Keith Jarrett recordings to those that claimed to start boycotting the trio. So what happened at Umbria? The following is reported from JazzTimes:


Without provocation and before playing a single note, Jarrett flew into a bizarre, seething rage, opening with “somebody tell those assholes to put away their fucking cameras. … I see that red light there, and that means you, you, you,” and stabbing his finger toward various spots in the crowd. Among other caustic comments, Jarrett threatened to stop performing if he saw a single camera flash during the show, “and leave this goddamn city.”

I remember reading all the reports of this incident, and recalling similar occurrences from past Jarrett concerts. I had always assumed that this disposition towards the setting that Keith and the trio performed had to meet certain requirements in order for the music to be created to its highest level. I have read countless articles that describe in detail Keith Jarret's specific attention to the piano he uses and conditions in which he prefers to create in. I always assumed that this was the requirement that a GREAT artist needs for his particular art.

Until this past Saturday night, I had never seen Keith and the trio perform.

Today, I read a review of the show.

And now...more so than ever...I understand.

Keith is a brilliant artist. This is obvious when you listen to the recordings and watch the DVDs, but even more evident in person. I have never had a more enjoyable live music experience as an audience member. However, I have also never had a more unpleasant, nerve racking, and generally angered reaction to an audience. Frankly, I wanted to tell the audience to go fuck themselves.

A few observations:

.Before the concert even started it was announced multiple times to turn off cell phones, not take pictures etc. and that same announcement prior to the second set. Keith even addressed the audience very politely saying that he wouldn't address the audience as children until the flashes started.
.During the third song which was a beautiful version of Somewhere from West Side Story, the distractions began...camera flashes, cell phones.
.During the final song of the first set, Tennessee Waltz, a good portion of the audience felt (for some reason completely unknown to me) that the song was funny and actually began laughing during Keith's intro and then again when melody was first stated.
.Second set, second song “Yesterdays,” during Keith's introduction a cell phone goes off...and the motherfucker with the phone just let it ring...and ring...and ring...and ring...twice!
.After the second set, the flashes began again.
.The trio came out for an encore, and the flashes continued. They played I'm a Fool to Want You.
.Before the second encore: Jack DeJohnette addressed the audience, “You have been a great audience, please, please, refrain from taking pictures.
.more camera flashes
.during the 2nd encore, When I Fall in Love, a lady who has apparently misplaced something under her seat and had left without wanting to stay through the whole show, with flashlight in hand begins crawling (I'm serious) on the ground trying to find whatever the fuck she was looking for. It couldn't wait? Really? The flashlight repeatedly flashed in the audiences eyes, then to the stage, with plenty of noise being made. The trio kept playing.
.the trio actually then returned to the stage for a third encore, and Keith began addressing the audience like children, which they deserved, in fact I was surprised at how nice he was, I don't think I would have been.
.they closed the show with God Bless the Child.

The music was BRILLIANT at the highest level I have ever heard on record or otherwise.

Do you know what really pisses me off?

Reading this!

Keith Jarrett is once again made to seem unreasonable, unfairly demanding of his audience and as the writer claims “more than just out of line.”


It is without doubt in my mind that Keith Jarrett has been given a bad rap. It is a blessing that we get to hear this genius create music, and we should all be so lucky to experience his music at some point in our lives. I'm afraid however, that there are many who have been to his concerts that didn't deserve to.

Labels: keith

well, its been a while, my apologies.
i will have some more soon, such as a few comments regarding seeing Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, & Jack DeJohnette at the SFJazz Festival a few weeks ago, a few new records to look out for etc.

but until then...

thank you to every one that came out last saturday at Veni Vidi Vici to check out the trio...we appreciate your enthusiasm, and look forward to playing for you all again soon

Below are a few videos from my duets concert with Han Bennink this past January...enjoy!

love...armen

Labels: video updates

so this is the kind of thing i remember from my childhood. perhaps it explains a few things. yes, its from sesame street and the music is philip glass...

Labels: philip glass

music is finally beginning to materialize for the basquiat concert...only about 2 weeks left until the show!

chris corsano is releasing a vinyl version of his The Young Cricketer...its a great recording! check it out on family vineyard.

adam benjamin has a new solo cd coming out in a few weeks...

one of my best friends, bassist richard giddens appears on the newest mp3 entry on taylor ho bynum's page. check it out!

sound & vision productions brought the trio to the cellar door on visalia last weekend...what a great venue! no wonder the likes of thurston moore, the bad plus, & subtle play there. check them out here. thanks aaron!

Labels: just stuff