“The Köln Concert” by Keith Jarrett is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The jazz album, one of the most legendary of all time, is now available as a boxed set. Recorded solo and entirely improvised in 1975, it has become a cult record, far beyond the realm of jazz, selling millions of copies. This boxed set offers a chance to revisit this unique moment, where Jarrett pushed the boundaries of improvisation and cemented his place as one of the giants of modern jazz.
On January 24, 1975, Keith Jarrett arrived by car in Cologne, Germany, from Lausanne, having barely slept and suffering from back pain. At the time, the pianist was a jazz star, having already turned down offers to join Miles Davis. Already in a foul mood, what he discovered in Germany did little to improve his spirits. On the stage of the Cologne Opera, Jarrett found a practice piano instead of the Bösendorfer Imperial he had requested—a mediocre, barely tuned piano with some keys malfunctioning.
A Concert After Negotiations
The demanding musician threatened not to play. After negotiations, he finally took the stage, furious. The opera’s concert start bell rang, followed by three notes that would become the foundation ofa mythical improvisation.
“The Köln Concert” would become one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. This boxed set celebrates the anniversary of the album’s release—the story of anger transforming into almost legendary inspiration. It is available in a vinyl version with an 8-page booklet about the cult record for 52.99 euros in specialty stores.
