KEITH JARRETT TRANSCRIPTION - MISS OTIS REGRETS

"This concert seemed to surpass many of Jarrett's previous shows in terms of the audience-performer connection, as Jarrett was pushed by a raucous and energetic crowd to new heights of melodic, harmonic, and virtuosic improvisation."

Jarrett's improvised music was unique in its achievement, touching base with nearly every aspect that has shaped his career. The concert began with a typical, post-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "big bang" exploration into musical harmony and rhythm. While often falsely characterized as "atonal," the pianist's harmonies are actually very complex in structure and his tonality and rhythm sophisticated in execution. This opening piece, in particular, was practically without precedent. There were seven pieces in the first set, including segments that ranged from aggressively funky and dissonant to slower and more melodic movements, expressive of a poignant lyricism. The highlight of the set was a piece that featured rolling tremolo chords, including a haunting improvised melody. After a resounding standing ovation, Jarrett proceeded to play his encores, which included an unusually introspective rendition of Harold Arlen's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," the melody of Cole Porter's tragicomic "Miss Otis Regrets", and an impressive display of ragtime virtuosity with James P. Johnson's "Caroline Shout."