Is Budapest Concert a good place to start with Keith Jarrett?

Yes, Budapest Concert is recommended as a starting point for new Keith Jarrett listeners. A mesmerizing blend of improvisational jazz, rich in emotional depth and spontaneous creativity. Released shortly before Keith Jarrett's 75th birthday, Budapest Concert showcases his enduring artistry as a solo pianist. This album arrives after a period of health challenges that had limited his public performances and recording output, making it a significant testament to his resilience and virtuosity.

Who is Budapest Concert for?

Budapest Concert works well if you're into dynamic exploration of improvisation, wave-like pacing with resolution and captivating live performance atmosphere.

How many songs are on Budapest Concert?

Budapest Concert has 14 tracks, running approximately 87 minutes.

Released 6 years ago this October

Budapest Concert

Keith Jarrett · 2020

87 min · 14 tracks · jazz

A mesmerizing blend of improvisational jazz, rich in emotional depth and spontaneous creativity.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Budapest Concert: Part I Start here — This extended opening piece sets the tone for the entire concert, showcasing Jarrett's ability to weave intricate melodies with spontaneous improvisation. It encapsulates the essence of his performance style, merging lyrical beauty with complex jazz harmonies.
→
It’s a Lonesome Old Town — Jarrett's interpretation of this piece illustrates his unique ability to infuse traditional jazz standards with personal emotion and inventive phrasing, highlighting both his technical skill and expressive depth.
→
Budapest Concert: Part XII - Blues — The blues segment stands out for its raw emotionality and groove, demonstrating Jarrett's versatility and mastery over different jazz styles while connecting deeply with the audience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

79 /100

Summit

Higher than 99% of albums we've rated

Jarrett's improvisational skill shines through intricate compositions and masterful performance, creating a distinctive listening experience.

What we noticed

The first six parts build gradually in intensity, while the latter sections introduce more complex harmonies and rhythmic variations.
The final two tracks diverge from the main improvisational theme, featuring structured melodies that provide a contrast to the preceding segments.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic exploration of improvisation
wave-like pacing with resolution
captivating live performance atmosphere
introspective moments for reflection

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Showcases Jarrett's enduring artistry after health challenges.
Themes: spontaneous creativity· personal resilience· Budapest atmosphere
Career context: Released shortly before Keith Jarrett's 75th birthday, Budapest Concert showcases his enduring artistry as a solo pianist. This album arrives after a period of health challenges that had limited his public performances and recording output, making it a significant testament to his resilience and virtuosity.
Stylistic neighbors: Chick Corea· Brad Mehldau· Bill Evans