Keith Jarrett

It is slowly becoming obvious that Keith Jarrett is the most important new keyboard stylist
in jazz since McCoy Tyner and Bill Evans: He has the rhythm of Art Tatum and the touch of
Bud Powell, the technique of Debussy, the sonorities of Boulez. While Fort Yawuh may
lack the genius of last year's Facing You (on ECM import), or the ambition of Expectations
(on Columbia), the entire album confirms Jarrett's staggering command of his inst... More >

The first acoustic jazz record I've made an effort to like in years, and it was worth it. Side two is easy--Paul Motian draws you into "De Drums," and Jarrett's "Still Life, Still Life" is instantly pretty and gets better. But side one sounds like the usual new jumble for at least ten plays until suddenly Dewey Redman establishes himself as heir to Ornette, just like the highbrows say he is. Redman's Ear of the Behearer is my next project. (Grade: A-)