What is the best Keith Jarrett album to start with?

The best album to start with is "The Köln Concert" (1975). It's the most representative of what makes Keith Jarrett worth hearing.

What are the best Keith Jarrett albums?

The essential Keith Jarrett albums include "Life Between the Exit Signs" (1968), "Restoration Ruin" (1968), "Somewhere Before" (1969), "Gary Burton & Keith Jarrett" (1971) and "The Mourning of a Star" (1971).

How many albums does Keith Jarrett have?

Keith Jarrett has 95 releases in their discography, including 49 albums.

Photo: Published by ABC/Impulse! Records. Photographer uncredited and unknown. · Public domain

Keith Jarrett

Q: Who is Keith Jarrett for?

If you're into jazz, Keith Jarrett is worth your time. Jarrett's music swells and recedes with an intricate interplay of tension and release, creating a dense tapestry of emotive phrases that breathe in sync with the listener's heartbeat.

Jarrett's music swells and recedes with an intricate interplay of tension and release, creating a dense tapestry of emotive phrases that breathe in sync with the listener's heartbeat.

jazz

United States

Read about Keith Jarrett on Bookshop

Start here

The album

The Köln Concert (1975)

This album represents Jarrett's improvisational style and emotive expression, making it a strong introduction to his artistry and approach to jazz.

The song

“My Song”

This track features a memorable melody and showcases Jarrett's lyrical piano style, providing an engaging entry point for new listeners.

See the full guide

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Bye Bye Blackbird" — from Bye Bye Blackbird (1993)

establishes the sonic palette early
2

"In Your Own Sweet Way" — from Keith Jarrett at the Blue Note (1995)

establishes the sonic palette early
3

"The Masquerade Is Over" — from After the Fall (2018)

establishes the sonic palette early
4

"Bouncing With Bud" — from Whisper Not (1999)

accessible entry with immediate hook
5

"My Back Pages" — from Somewhere Before (1969)

establishes the sonic palette early
6

"Kyoto, November 5, 1976, Part 1" — from Sun Bear Concerts (1978)

establishes the sonic palette early

About Keith Jarrett

Keith Jarrett matters because he reshaped the landscape of improvised music, turning solo piano performances into explorative journeys that resonate deeply with both intimate and expansive emotional experiences.

His approach transcends traditional jazz confines, creating a sonic space where spontaneity meets profound expression, inviting audiences to engage with the music as a living conversation rather than a set repertoire. Jarrett's innovative process lies in his ability to blend classical training with jazz improvisation, often drawing from a well of personal introspection and cultural influences. He frequently eschews conventional song structures, allowing the narrative of each performance to develop organically. This method transforms each concert into a unique event, fostering a sense of connection between performer and listener, as if they are co-navigating an unfolding story. His songwriting often delves into themes of transcendence, solitude, and the human condition, employing a voice that balances sincerity with intricate emotional nuance. Rather than relying on lyrical storytelling, his work communicates through melodic motifs and rhythmic exploration, using silence as effectively as sound to evoke feelings and imagery that resonate on multiple levels.

49 studio albums· 95 total releases· 5 decades· United States