Keith Jarrett - Interview + Speech at NEA Jazz Masters Awards 2014

Excerpt from NEA Jazz Masters Awards Ceremony & Concert on Jan 13, 2014
Source: new.livestream.com/jazz/neajaz...
Keith Jarrett is giving an acceptance speech that is about his definition of music and his opinion of what the most important for a musician in life is.
I found that his idea of "free yourself, but I don't believe that there is a specific fixed way" is very similar idea of 大道無門(The Great Way(Tao) is gateless) in Buddhism, even though he has said that he's religiously influenced by George Gurdjieff, an esoteric Christian mystic teacher.

[@dejanrafajlovic]

I have never heard so much honesty, vulnerability and spontaneity in a speech...

[@NYCBG]

Ni ja, brate imenjače.

[@GreenOrchid9]

Met him 1970s and been to his concerts🎶🎵🎶💻⏰

[@ericwilhelm2941]

Exactly my thought

[@seop1721]

Masters are just true students.

[@YACEB33]

👌✨

[@baptistewxpolpodcast3339]

Wonderfully accurate way to put it !

[@axeman2638]

amen to that brother.

[@GlaucoLima]

Absolutely

[@m-l7127]

Keith Jarrett is a national treasure.

[@jonnreyna1]

Living legend!

[@pnovaone]

Keith is enigmatic, interesting, odd, wonderful, and human,... and his music is extraordinary. Glad he has existed.

[@vladding1377]

"My left hand knows what to play" - Damn.. that hurt hearing that, knowing what we now know.. I regret not seeing him live when he played Carnegie Hall a few years back.. Be well, Keith.

[@andradas9688]

that statement by Keith Jarrett still puzzles me. His control of harmony, voicing, melody, counterpoint is amazing. He basically gives this more generic example of how he is not really controlling the music itself, in this case, his left hand, but I find that hard to believe. There are certain things that are mechanical, but not really at this level of control. He is truly a master of controlling the sounds on the spot with the uttermost sense of beauty.

[@Damonm68]

The Tao of Music, it can't be talked about it can only be experienced.

[@postatility9703]

I admire what he said about audiences."...I need them more than anyone....all I want them to do is to try to concentrate..."

[@DaveBassDotCom]

Wow. Just "wow." He "gets it." He gets the musical spirit. I believe Joni Mitchell got it too, in her own way. And Neil Young. And Errol Garner. And others. But few can articulate it like Keith. And ever fewer are gracious enough to try to articulate it for the rest of us, to put a light on the path. I am thankful to God for Keith Jarrett.

[@arc236]

yeah, I totally agree. Really interesting what he says about his left hand just knowing what to play.

[@allegroschoolofmusic4424]

I just wish he had given more credit to his mentor the great Bobby Hojack

[@stephen0793]

totally agree with you about Joni Mitchell!

[@spacegupta71]

Same I love Joni Mitchell greatest songwrite of our time.

[@dankg55]

I bet if he was born 300 years ago, we still would have heard of him until today.

[@OtoMagaldadze]

"...this music that's in the air, that is ready to be played at all times." - That's exactly what kind of feeling I have always had. You don't 'create' music, you 'discover' it, which is there, in the space-time. Not like I consider myself a composer or a musician, though.

[@brettprice527]

Interestingly Ahmad Jamal talks about how jazz is a music of discovery and those discoveries give you energy.

[@javidhuseynov3379]

Thanks for the great privilege to be among Keith's music listeners!!!

[@effsixteenblock50]

Overly philosophical? Hardly. So many players can get the nuts & bolts of music pretty much down. All the requisite scales, harmonic concepts, repertoire etc. Then the real work begins. It's often an internal battle. Being able to consistently go to that place, just like he said, to be able to let go and let it happen. It can be the biggest obstacle and often takes the most struggle to overcome. To play fearlessly. He's not being overly lofty - he's being honest.

[@jerrychetty2524]

Oh man, thank you, what a great genius, I came here after Rick Beato said that if you don't know Keith Jarrett you don't know music

[@michswags]

I LOVE the NOISES YOU MAKE !!! Since age 16...now 61...evokes tears STILL of glee...acceptance...joy..departure...bitter irony...a Kaleidescope of feelings and thoughts..memories..Youre Blessed and you Bless others with your overflow and sweet gentility...Thankyou ever so much Keith

[@olecranonrebellion9976]

I love you keith. a man of truth, and music.

[@docnelson2008]

Keith is always interesting, some would say opinionated, but he talks about the creative process in a refreshingly different way to just about anybody else. He is a master musician and he has been influential.

[@postatility9703]

Choosing Kenny Barron to make the award presentation was a perfect choice.In his playing and as a human being, he is class personified.

[@michaelmattice4986]

Thank you so much for sharing!!!...In all the years I've listened to and been moved by Keith's music I don't ever recall hearing him speak...So for me, this was a truly unique experience:)

[@BlossomVpiano]

What an inspirational speech! Thank you Mr Keith Jarrett.🙏🙏. Legendary jazz pianist Keith jarrett quotes from this video: 1:04: "when I'm out there playing the piano, it's like my body knows what to do... if you tell it what to play, you're STOPPING it" "Stopping it, is stopping from playing something better than I can think of" (**In other words, to play from awareness/ consciousness/ infinite silence/true self!!**) "You can be educated to play piano scales.....etc, but you are still zero until you let go of what holds you back!" "In Jazz, the narrative is what carries the music forward and the narrative is the playing". "FEEL IT and DO IT". "Let music comes THROUGH your body". **Since May 2022, I have started playing piano the way Mr Keith Jarrett described. I started AWARENESS based 'infinite silence' meditation by Philip Wade (Insight Timer app, it's FREE!) In Jan 2022. Since May, I was surprised that I was able to improvised from pure consciousness (WITHOUT self judgement, self criticism, etc). Basically placing my hands on the piano and just let them do what they should do...... playing at MY level and MY ability, improvise so much better than if I tried to play via my limited self (mind). Not only my music is evolving, so is my life.... way less anxiety, depression...... This is a life long journey. A journey is BEing, living in the PRESENT MOMENT. BLESSINGS to you Mr Keith Jarrett

[@FlowEckurt]

thanks so much for uploading 🍀

[@RCrosbyLyles]

I needed to hear this. Thank you, Keith Jarrett.

[@Marius1988Roma]

What a great man. Great and very important teachings for everyone in his speech. Even for people who are not musician. Just for everyone. Love to Keith

[@davebenson1504]

Awesome... It was an amazing few minutes listening to a Jazz musician link words the way a jazz musician might play... THANK YOU!

[@1955drv]

Thank you for sharing 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@tmaddrummer]

Keith will change my playing. Blessings Keith, and your dear Mom at 94 at that time.... This has been a priceless experience!

[@ziadelhelou2788]

You are truly a jazz master even when u talk u talk jazz. U jump from idea to idea, u talk about ure self, incoherent, my mother berklee Coltrane and kicked out off a gig in one sentence,thats jazz. Intellectual and u think of every word and then u say that u don't have to think like all jazz players.u are great in what u do but what u do is not the only thing. Jazzz is not the only thing in the air. Ure honest and I'm honest I wish u luck and good health.

[@StringsOfAndersen]

Great communicater - one of the best that I have ever heard

[@williamjackson6705]

Totally geeking out. Kenny Barron introducing Keith Jarrett. Two of the all-greats on the same stage.

[@gabyguala]

Love you forever Keith Jarret. Thanks to YOU!!!

[@mdtcmeditango]

Beautiful. One hundred years ahead.

[@tranquilityandpeaceforever7250]

Keith would be an amazing teacher who would stand by and demonstrate the thing he wants to communicate without words.

[@1610austin]

a great example of ... the greatest musicians on the planet .. can be the most humble and honest . metheny too

[@sheskimusic]

Thank you, Keith Jarrett. 🙏

[@EugeneSkeef230650]

Profoundly beautiful and perspicacious!

[@sandraeckelhofer]

Keith is so cute, so adorable. I love him deeply. i mean it.

[@respectfullymama]

Me too :)

[@AmbientWalking]

I love Keith Jarrett.

[@maracuja55]

The most interesting speech about music and about being a musician I've heard . Kenny Werner's book " effortless mastery" follows that path.

[@driggerfireon5760]

Brilliance at display, he entire talk about music is spiritual at it’s basis

[@allegroschoolofmusic4424]

he tries to like the best people that he knows, I think that is the most admirable trait of his playing

[@mrsblue3011]

God bless you Keith!

[@dimitriskaraganis]

thanks for sharing ...grate!

[@telaim]

This man is beautiful!

[@dwainjones1494]

A True Great Musician and Beyond!

[@jamesvalko6998]

My hero. Genius.

[@zefonk]

So damn wonderful.

[@postatility9703]

So truthfully philosophical. We are lucky to still have him although a stroke robbed him of his ability to play.

[@sharonaldridge3332]

Endearing...I worked at moving through the spaces KJ moved on from, a subject, a reminiscent... an attempt to articulate the what of music.. his. I feel fulfilled... and await for that piano and his fingers to move my body...and my mind.

[@IvanMelon]

Brilliant!

[@freejazzbone]

Jarrett is being sincere!

[@Conradical2006]

Keith Jarrett is like my spiritual father.

[@vpod78]

Blessed One

[@ericwilhelm2941]

He is so very special

[@CharlieTheShiner]

awesome!

[@JungleYT]

LOVE this man, next to George Duke and Herbie Hancock - My Hero...

[@PaGoO]

PURE GOLD

[@sandraeckelhofer]

beloved Keith Jarrett, adorable genius. he's such a god, and absolutely cute 😍😍😍 perfect in every way.

[@radiokid2]

I like Keith because he has a strong work ethic too...

[@paxwallacejazz]

Funny nobody ever thinks mentions this normally. David Holland said a very parallel thing regarding this idea of hard work. Creative intelligence is knowing what to work on it's so simple yet not really.

[@paxwallacejazz]

All great artist try very hard to do just one thing. Tell the truth. When you ask a good artist a question of any depth at all 1st there will be a silence. Then you will experience the honest attempt to see what's up for them regarding your question right then and there in that context in that moment. That's how one plays jazz at a high level.

[@dankg55]

Agree. True artists are in love with authenticity and can't stand anything that doesn't reflect the truth.

[@unacarafea567]

Picasso and Dali come to mind when I listen to Jarrett.

[@Zasztowtles]

He is a real master. Not each of us realizes it now. History would be the evidence.

[@pdn-vd5om]

Try to concentrate- what is funny about saying so, is the difficulty we have maintaining concentration. Listen to the Koln Concert, and give the kids some celery sticks!

[@yotrakzproductions7324]

Profoundly honest my friend. Well said.

[@tomekp95]

that speech left me speechless

[@sandraeckelhofer]

16:58 "(...) but of course, in real life when you're saying something for the only time you get a chance to say it... and you forget it... naaa it's not so good." so cute, OMJarrett! I so love this man.

[@MrOliverTube]

perfect words

[@jahthunder01]

COUGH COUGH COUGH COUGH . On a serious note hes a fantastic musician.

[@FelixDegenaar]

Brilliant! :-)

[@flloyd]

Hee Hee

[@deacon8754]

I love the answer about why he makes the noises when he plays …

[@JungleYT]

FOOTNOTE: I can't believe all the *hate* in the comments below... I seriously doubt that any of you could come off as good. Public speaking in general isn't easy. Also, most geniuses have been eccentric or difficult to *average* minds - From Einstein to Miles to Tesla.

[@marsinearth1264]

JungleYT maybe those are just haters who hate everything except their own preferences or people who are fond of pop-cultures which Keith criticized in the video, or...any reason. Welcome to this vicious and cruel world, btw.

[@JungleYT]

@@marsinearth1264 Well, all I have to say is "F*ck the world..." I started listening to Keith in the 1970s and even back then people were overly critical.

[@FelixDegenaar]

Just to be clear: if you don't like his speech, you're a 'hater'. Gotcha.

[@thatdudenamedmoe]

does anybody know where to find the recording he talks about at 9:32?

[@jeffdawson2786]

This is one of my favorite KJ videos. Thanks. “Why would I teach anyone to kill themselves?”

[@markusrose9667]

i doubt this is possible, but i wish he and Charles Lloyd would play together again. Keith never talks about his time with him, and maybe he doesn't think much of him...in any case...I love both men, then and now.

[@helenamaria710]

Amazing...!!! I wonder where he really came from!

[@dancalmusic]

Genius.

[@jazzfan7491]

absolutely refuses to be a "jazz" musician. just a musician. and one of the greatest ever.

[@rik-keymusic160]

He’s a free spirit, not bound by what people think of him or his playing! The freedom we all are looking for … it’s a spiritual thing ! 🙏🍀

[@letsshred6944]

Keith Jarrett Shreds

[@manologonzalezmorillas258]

❤️🙏

[@arc236]

What an incredible guy. He might be right that we can't fully express music except by using music, but nevertheless it's really interesting to hear his ideas. I'd love to hear him interviewed / speaking more. Any good links, people?

[@redinhodaflauta1269]

ethaniverson.com/interviews/interview-with-keith-jarrett/

[@whoisthispianist194]

My talent is so immense that I mustn’t stop myself from letting my hands play. My hands have extraordinarily musicality and talent. It’s amazing just how special and wonderful I really am. Sometimes I stand up when I am playing and fuck the piano for a bit, it draws a lot of attention towards me which I really must have. It would be unfair to call me a narcissist because I am so much better than that. People will think of me like Bach and Mozart, but possibility greater because I play jazz.

[@AlexPGSV]

unbelievable mindset.

[@athruzathruz]

I love listening to Keith playing the piano, him speaking, not so much,!!,

[@juhanilempiainen4011]

All we need in his concerts is concentration!

[@eytonshalomsandiego]

This makes me appreciate him quite a lot more than before. Excellent lesson. Btw, if you check out the you tube of keith and chic corea playing mozart, you can by comparison, taking nothing away from chic, hear the difference, the improvisatory feel to keith's mozart, and his swing and lightness. in fact, i prefer keith's classical recordings to his jazz perhaps for that reason. but this talk makes me want to listen with a more open mind to his jazz and see what i might be missing. am i just turned off to his personality and not giving the music a chance?

[@alilotfi7974]

8:30 gold !

[@user-bn7bv2zv2n]

this guy is genius

[@anthonymoreno9019]

Keith Jarret my favorite rock piano- MAN wish he'd let A440 alone .......let's play....

[@barneymcall]

It seems Keith used a forgotten sentence to illustrate that; its better to not cling to something you could say and get an perfunctory applause...but.... to happily let that thought GO!!!.. in the aid of illustrating the crucial nature of the present moment in music

[@guiladshmaya1]

You can tell it was extremely difficult for him to talk in public, he hasn't done that for how long, actually? And, again, he turned to be a good improviser-speaking-even if it sounds to us often desorganised, sometimes not prepared and messy but still, i rather that than reading from some paper. All you critic, don't forget we are talking about someone who avoided interviews and standing in front of public for decades. The first thing has been mentioned several times before, though: music is there, you can reach out for it and find it or just keep looking

[@whoisthispianist194]

“Most of us don’t let it go and let it happen, but I’m not most of us. I am a very special boy and I have this incredibly rare ability to do what the vast majority of you can’t do, even if you’re educated! Students tell me they want to play like me, but I can’t teach that because I’m so incredibly special that I can’t be imitated. No matter how hard these students try, they will never be as good as me. When I think about how great I truly am, I am in awe. I really must give my mother credit for raising a genius - myself. I also have the ability to speak on behalf of the most important Artists of the 20th century, like Coltrane. People don’t know what they’re listening to anymore. I on the other hand know what music is, and what it’s not. I’m so very importent that there is no need for me to prepare what I’m saying to you. If I forget some of the things I was going to say to you it doesn’t really matter because I am the most important person in the room. You are my narcissistic supply. You’ve been good but not fantastic like me. Thank you everyone. I’ve been great. Goodnight.

[@ipadmidiking]

what a great speech...everything he says is 100% true..."masters"..what a joke!....he's right...there are only students...no masters....he makes some great points about improvisation..

[@panchovilla9965]

WISH HE'D PLAY MORE OF MILES MUSIC. WHATEVER HE DECIDES TO PLAY HE IS MY MAN FOR THE A--4:40. KLONKINESS........

[@HenryWinehard]

Textbook Autism Spectrum Genius.

[@katarzynazagorowska404]

00:52 -1:30, 6:18-9:50

[@JoseFerreira-ht6mt]

playing only with soul. the sound between notes unknown

[@Lemwell7]

I just need them to NOT COUGH

[@GreenOrchid9]

🎶💻🎶📚🎶⏰😨😷🌅✌ great promo for the N.Y. public library 2022

[@catherinezagoroska3843]

1:00- 2:30, 6:20-9:08

[@edocamera]

thank god nobody coughed

[@jennifer86010]

'Funny how most actors who want to be singers can't really sing very well. 'Funny how most atheletes who want to be actors can't act. The same is true of musicians who think they are public speakers. How can the mind of a great pianist which is so well organized, fluid and lyrical when he's playing music, become so scattered, rambling and vague when it comes to delivering impactful points about the same music which has coarsed through his veins for the last half century? Keith said it himself... "music is something which can't be described in words."

[@m.a.g.3920]

Music are not words. Are much beyond words..

[@yelassinacoulibaly819]

🌈❤️❤️❤️❤️👌👌👌👌💐💐💐🙏🥰🌈