J is for Keith Jarrett

By Gabriel

azz is shit music," said John Lennon. Normally I'd agree with the guy but there are a few exceptions. Apparently, Keith Jarrett is one of them. I thought he was just a concert pianist for the longest time. I was first exposed to Jarrett at James Madison University in my Design History class, taught by William Tate. It was Tate's first time teaching the class as it was also a recent addition to the curriculum. Every day he had a new way of looking at design, or even things that had nothing to do with design. Perspectives on art, architecture, graphic and industrial design were woven together to be mutually influential. One day in particular he was following up on a discussion about Ray and Charles Eames, the well-known furniture designers that dabbled in all things design. Given the scope of their work, it's now unsurprising that they also experimented with film. Tate obtained one of their more abstract movies in observing the mundane–the movement of soap suds across pavement. Because of his passion for everything from Germany and Austria, he brought in The Koln Concert recording and muted the sound on the film. Setting both into motion, it was almost as if the two works were meant to be together. The water flowed and splashed with the lulls and peaks of Jarrett's composition. "Part II A" was the unintentional soundtrack.

Afterward, I purchased the entire recording and it became standard listening during long and intense projects. It's meditative and inspiring while still allowing itself to be subjected to the background. Blissfully ignorant of Jarrett's other works, I'm still amazed at the improvisation of the concert and how it paints his emotions in the moment. His work here is stripped down–on piano only–and it doesn't feel as complex as classical music. Movement of the pedals provide percussion in heated moments. You can even hear him moan and "scat" with the progress of the compositions.

For me, it's a reminder of an inspiring class and professor, as well as the unexpected forms of art that make a great impact. Look to the simple and spontaneous for inspiration. Look to Koln.