Keith Jarrett has yet another solo album out, called Rio.  As the title would suggest, it was recorded in Rio de Janeiro.  On it we hear the now familiar musical mood swings:  from angular vertical runs, acrid harmonies, to unbearably lovely encores.  The audience once again goes wild at the end.  It’s a two disc set, probably covering most of the concert that night in April, 2011.   I wondered as I unpeeled the shrink wrap and label–with a tried and true technique Kurt Elling taught me—how the cariocas–as the residents of Rio de Janeiro are called–would greet a solo piano concert.  Brazilian music is often very upbeat, but there is always saudade lurking in the background.  As it turned out, Jarrett supplied both in the concert.  I particularly love the three encores that close the second cd—the audience goes wild at the end, typical of Jarrett’s fans, although this was, I believe, his first concert in Brazil.   He seemed to really be enjoying it.  There’s even a photo of him smiling, while sipping a demitasse cup of espresso.

Of course as a solo  Keith Jarrett sprung to fame with his Köln Concert of 1977, a record that sold preposterously well for a jazz album.   Read More →