John Coates at the Deer Head, 1982

John Coates at the Deer Head Inn, Delaware Water Gap, 31 July 1982. "Prologue 39."

[@edwardsah3]

This brings back a flood of memories. In the late seventies, I spent most Saturday nights, and Friday nights durring the summer, at the Deerhead, listening to Johnny. He even let me stick a microphone inside the piano to record him.

[@johndelamontaigne7711]

The great John Coates. I had the honor of playing with him at a concert in Vermont back in 2005. Fantastic tune John!

[@nancyreedandspencerreed2412]

I am so glad this is here. The master.

[@novaman7100]

Me and my brother took piano lessons with Johnny Coates Sr in the late ‘60s.

[@bobgold57]

Just stumbled upon this. Always wanted to hear him at the Deer head, but never managed to. Great style. Definitely some Jarrett in there. (or some of Coates in KJ) Mesmerizing.

[@CPez]

If you’re asking WHO Keith Jarrett got inspired by, its this man Most in the Music World Don’t even know. This is the place, theDear Head, where Keith got his start; and my god, when Keith does his solo Improvisation....... it’s JUST LIKE THIS! It completely makes sense.

[@Beyondabsence]

This a revelation to me and you're right!!! I've been playing since childhood and among my main influences is Keith. Had no idea of this name and how much Keith sounds like him in some of Keith's playing.

[@frednow]

Indeed. Jarrett’s influences are Paul Bley, Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand), Bill Evans, Bud Powell, and a whole lot of John Coates. And Keith took all of those ingredients (and many others) and made an exalted stew.

[@petemull7922]

My exact thought! Like Koln.

[@TheJohnnyBE]

I spoke to John at the Bar at The Deer Head Inn during a break at one of his performances many, many years ago and brought up this subject. He said he had been very disappointed that Keith had never mentioned his (John's) influence on his music. He told me that it was only recently that Keith had mentioned him as an influence in an interview in a Japanese Jazz Magazine. If you know John's Music, it's impossible not to hear him in Keith's.

[@edwardsah3]

I spent many nights at the Deerhead, listening to Johnny. There are recordings of Keith playing drums with Johnny. The two of them cam make a C-major triad hip. In fact, I was there one night in the late seventies when Keith came to see Johnny play, and to give him a copy of an album--I think it was Arbour Zena.

[@danieloconnell3055]

I was probably there. Love John

[@novemberjohn]

He was one of the few who helped me to become as close to a musician (a word I don't use loosely) as I might have been.

[@ElginRules]

His playing was my introduction to jazz piano when I started seeing him perform at the Deerhead In in1970. Pure genius

[@edwardsah3]

Mine too. I started coming in 1978. Such a singular voice.

[@bobdemarco7346]

Steven, Thank you very much for posting this truly great performance! I don’t know why today I thought of the Deerhead Inn and l KZbind it. I was shocked to see someone posted a performance from Johnny Coats Jr. When I was a young man in the late 70/80s My older brother studied with John Coats Sr. Every Saturday morning Mr Coats would pull up to my parents house in his blue Chevy Suburban and give my brother piano lessons. I remember how sweet the music was that came from that room! Both he and his son were amazing men. Sometime in the late 80s I decided to take a ride up to the Poconos. I was with my girlfriend at the time and was hoping to make a memorable evening. I really didn’t know about the Deerhead Inn. Well I stubbed upon the Inn and to my surprise John Jr was performing, it was one of the most memorable nights of music I have ever experienced. During his intermission I was able to speak to John and shake his hand. Watching this video brought me right back to that moment. Truly a gift to the world! Thank you Steve, please post more if you can.

[@dr.dingledorff]

Such an underrated genius. An absolute phenom. Thank the lord that i found one of his records at a Goodwill 10-15 years ago. Such a legend. Thank you for this video.

[@EduardoSposito-e4y]

THANKS a lot 😊😊😊I didnt know this great musician

[@production58]

The man who influenced Keith Jarrett and a host of others..John Coates Jr!

[@Prousto]

Wouldn’t say Coates influenced Jarrett as much as supplied the blueprint for his career. Did Jarrett ever acknowledge this debt? It’s unmissable.

[@claudiopiovanelli6257]

My favourite musician, in absolute: GREAT! Thank you for this beautiful post!

[@skymods777E]

Great pianist. He gives us a good vibration.

[@puddingyamada]

Thank you so much for sharing this video with us. Thank you.

[@madachi55]

A well-worn cliche - every musician stands on the shoulders of someone else. Imagine if Keith Jarrett had never met Coates, let alone sat in on drums with him? Sometimes we get really lucky. Coates sounds like an original to me. Don't know any pianists of his generation who sound like him. Would love to know from people who heard him in the 1960s if he had this sound then.

[@danjameson1572]

looked like a shipping clerk, played like a god.

[@t4fnut]

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant. Thanks for posting.

[@wbjams]

So glad this is available to view and listen to....John is missed by so many. Is there more footage from that evening? If so please post.Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Walt Bibinger

[@TheJohnnyBE]

Genius + Heart = John Coates, Jr.

[@NavyLeaguer]

Amazing, still. After all these years. IP

[@joetennis]

Thanks for posting...brilliant

[@dancelli714]

I HAVE A TEEN AGE JOHN COATES JR CD. I wonder is this the same Coates ?

[@jefffeinstein1]

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[@howardrobinson4938]

Have always loved John's music. I used to see him back around the time that this performance happened. But, really, why bring Keith Jarret into the comments here. Two different players, each with their own sound who were both performing at the same time. Jarrett who played in the early 70's with Miles Davis also was keyboardist with Art Blakey and Charles Loyd. He was also a good pianist improvisor.

[@edwardsah3]

I love Keith's playing, and I love Johnny's playing. I don't think mentioning their connection diminishes either of them.