Is Keith Jarrett The Greatest Solo Pianist Ever?

One afternoon in Oslo changed the course of jazz piano history! In this episode, Adam and Peter dive into Facing You, the hit 1971 ECM release where a 26-year-old Keith Jarrett – torn between Miles Davis’ electric band and his own acoustic instincts – walked alone into a studio and recorded eight completely improvised masterpieces. From the gospel-tinged “In Front” to the apex moment in “Lalene,” we explore his remarkable touch, bluesy intuition, and the distinctive distorted Steinway that producer Manfred Eicher perfectly captured. We place this album among solo piano giants (Monk, Tatum, Evans), lovingly examine Jarrett’s “fussy” reputation, and show how this afternoon session laid the blueprint for his legendary Köln Concert. Five decades later, we jazz pianists are still chasing the magic Keith created that day. 00:00 Intro 03:14 Facing You discussion 05:10 Jarrett’s1971 recording session in Oslo. 07:06 Early career highlights 09:56 Origins of Jarrett’s improvisational style 16:02 Breakdown of “In Front” 21:02 surprising details about the Steinway used. 26:02 Acoustic vs. electric 31:02 A look at Jarrett’s diverse output in 1971. 36:10 The magic of Jarrett’s touch 44:00 Desert island track picks 🔵 Subscribe to ‪@OpenStudioMusic‬ – and enjoy new performances from your favorite OS artists, every week 🟠 Open Studio Members: Nerd nook → https://www.openstudiojazz.com/commun... ABOUT OPEN STUDIO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ As the premier online jazz education platform, with an ever-expanding course library and 20,000+ members, Open Studio (OS) has everything you need to excel and thrive on your jazz journey. Featuring everything from beginner to advanced lessons, engaging courses from A-list instructors, step-by-step curriculum, real-time classes and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, OS is the perfect platform to level up your jazz playing, whether you’re a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level improvisor. Try OS Membership today! → https://osjazz.link/about All about YHI https://lnk.to/youllhearitYB