[gary]

Jarrett has been banned from future performances here in Perugia at the Umbria Jazz Festival. Good riddiance.

I went to hear him two nights ago at a large outdoor venue. The band was turned down so that only those somewhat close to the stage could hear really well. Normally, even those in the cheap seats (like me, harumph) can at least hear, although you can't see very well. In this case, if you were in the cheap seats you had to strain to hear. Of course those paying the big bucks should have better views, etc. but cutting back on the sound, in my experience, is unheard of - anyplace and in any genre of music. I can only guess at who's request that technical change was made.

Because a few people took pictures, he refused to play any encores, although the public was respectful enough to ask for one. Those taking the photos, of course, were asking for it, but security could have taken care of it. Jarrett didn't have to be such a butt about it. He had begun the concert not just nicely asking for no photos, but threatening the public by saying that if anyone took photos, his trio would leave. I came late so did not hear this, but I was told this morning by a few who were there that the very first words he said to the audience that evening was "no f___ing cameras" and that anyone doing that is a (expletive deleted). Nice intro, Keith.

He called this place a "damn city" and that was more than some of the spectators could bear. Many had come long distances to hear him and the tickets were not cheap. He made around "150,00 Euros (do the $ math; it's a lot) personally for this appearance.

The organiser of this really great festival said, "I can understand everything, even being obsessed about the cameras, but you cannot insult an audience and even an entire city just because of a few flashes." "As an artist Jarrett is sublime, but as a person he leaves much to be desired. It was unfortunate that we had to witness the schizophrenia of these two aspects," he added, LOL.

Oh - the music? There were some sensitive moments but (IMO of course) his playing was low-keyed and lack-lustre; certainly not worth the grief. Wanna hear Jarrett? Buy a CD and spare yourself being treated by him like he expects you not to treat him. Jerk!

 

[hakukani]

This is inexcuseable.

However, he's not the first artist that has done stuff like this. (Well, maybe not insulting the entire city).

There are many talented jerks like this in the business, and I have worked with some of them.

Artists that think they are in a club with 50 to 100 people, when they are in a concert or convention hall with 5000.

There are others that are a dream to work with.

 

[rleitch]

Because a few people took pictures, he refused to play any encores, although the public was respectful enough to ask for one. Those taking the photos, of course, were asking for it, but security could have taken care of it. Jarrett didn't have to be such a butt about it. He had begun the concert not just nicely asking for no photos, but threatening the public by saying that if anyone took photos, his trio would leave. I came late so did not hear this, but I was told this morning by a few who were there that the very first words he said to the audience that evening was "no f___ing cameras" and that anyone doing that is a (expletive deleted). Nice intro, Keith.

This is a bit: apparently he pulled the same crap in Montreal at the Jazzfest this year--although he didn't say anything rude enough to get him kicked out. When I saw him about 15 years ago it was his piano stool--stopped in the middle of the show to demand a better stool. I would have handed him a mic stand! Your advice is right on.

 

[ramZsax]

I went to see him (with his trio of course) in San Fran a year or two ago and half way through he started yelling at the audience. He said that the least people could do was put black electrical tape over the red lights on their video cameras. I have to admit, i was hoping something like that was going to happen. haha. and no, I wasn't one of the people recording.

 

[Hurling Frootmig]

I've heard from a number of people that he's a bit high strung. He's quite talented but he seems intent on being a jerk to audiences which will have long term consequences. Life's too short to be anything other than a decent person - IMHO.

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

Hmm, who does he think he is? Next thing you know, he'll be requesting that the roadies remove the brown M&M's from the snack bowl in the green room.

Note to celebrities and those aspiring to such heights:

If you attain fame, deal graciously with the more reasonable consequences that go along with the glory, or get lost.

 

[Grumpie]

Hmm, who does he think he is? Next thing you know, he'll be requesting that the roadies remove the brown M&M's from the snack bowl in the green room.

Note to celebrities and those aspiring to such heights:

If you attain fame, deal graciously with the more reasonable consequences that go along with the glory, or get lost.

And it will be the roadies he needs to ask because with such an attitude the more interesting back-stage visitors will stay away.

I like the blue M&M's btw, don't know why, they seem

 

[hakukani]

And it will be the roadies he needs to ask because with such an attitude the more interesting back-stage visitors will stay away.

I like the blue M&M's btw, don't know why, they seem

Roadies will stay away, too. Trust me.

Jimmy Durante was right when he said "Be nice to people on the way up, because you're sure to meet them on the way down."

 

[greyteque]

As much as I love his music (especially the trio and his work with Jan Garbarek) this makes me want to stop listening (not that I could actually do that). I just won't ever plan on seeing him live. I wonder how he treats the musicians in his groups.

 

[Kritavi]

Its been years since I saw him live. The early solo performance as part of "Impulse Artists on Tour" and the American Quartet at a few gigs in a small club were fantastic and problem free. The much larger venue where I saw him with the Garbarek Quartet was a nice hall but it was a kind of torture to hear everything at such a low volume, it was very frustrating and as I think about it, pretty unfair.
I decided years ago I wouldn't see him again unless he did a special concert without the weird singing/humming. I'd pay more for that.
Ironic isn't it that the most irritating noise going on at any Keith Jarrett concert is coming right out of his mouth.:?

 

[Hurling Frootmig]

The Smoking Gun website has a lot of concert riders. Well worth checking out. I think the Van Halen one is there as well as one for everyone's favorite sax player.

Hmm, who does he think he is? Next thing you know, he'll be requesting that the roadies remove the brown M&M's from the snack bowl in the green room.

Note to celebrities and those aspiring to such heights:

If you attain fame, deal graciously with the more reasonable consequences that go along with the glory, or get lost.

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

Yes, that Tourettes Syndrome-ish droning he does is just plain annoying.

Please, no mail about the T.S. reference.:|

 

[hakukani]

Monk does the humming thing, too.

Also, every cellist from Casals on thinks they have to breathe heavily to be 'expressive'.

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

I'll definitely forgive Monk for doing it.

 

[sambeaux]

Yeah, I've heard this about Keith. It's hard to know how to feel about him. Obviously, on one hand you want to give him a good slap and tell him to grow up. On the other hand, he flies in his own orbit and we're lucky to have someone who can make such unique contributions to modern music. Maybe that wouldn't be possible if he was in touch with reality.

But yeah, his behavior is just a buzzkill. Keith - you're harshin' our mellow, dude!

 

[Rackety Sax]

I saw him at Orchestra Hall in Chicago years ago. Same type of thing. He stopped the concert a couple of times during the first half. If memory serves, the first time was because the management had let late arrivers be seated while he was playing. I can't say I blame him for being upset about that. The second time I think was because someone's watch beeped. Both times he stood up and walked to a mic in the center of stage to harangue the audience.

A little later there was a large crash back stage and Keith abruptly got up and left the stage. Maybe it was his manager's way of signalling the intermission ? A little later his manager (I assume) sauntered onto the stage and with a disingenuous offhand attitude assured everyone that the Keith was just taking an intermission and would be back for the second half.

I would have thought by this time Keith would have outgrown his childish outbursts, or that his audience would have outgrown them :twisted: .

I agree that he is an extraordinary talent but not the type of person I would willingly pay ticket money for in the future.

 

[dpmusic]

i knew it!

there's always been something about jarrett that just rubs me the wrong way. and i've never liked his music as a result. i've never seen him live, but i've seen videos....something about his body language...the faces he makes....i couldn't put my finger on it..
now it's perfectly clear:

he's an *******.

and i don't think the "he's a great artist so it's ok and i'll still listen to him" idea is a valid excuse. anytime i've ever found out that a musician is an a-hole, they always drop to 0 in my book and i can no longer listen. if everyone did this, these artists would easily be humbled.

 

[gelliot2]

He's clearly got problems with his piano stool in this one...or else his underwear is too tight:

 

[RootyTootoot]

He SOOO is (a jerk). But, then, he's maybe a bit of a genius too and he's got to have a little latitude (or no?). Miles too had his moods. I'm not excusing geniuses who behave like idiots but I'm just saying that we shouldn't for a moment think it's ok to stop listening to them. Art/Life: Separation of Powers. I think.

 

[MM]

Well, years ago I caught his American quartet, the one with Dewey Redman and Charlie Haden. That was a terrific concert and Keith was well-behaved. Of course this was less exposed music than his solo and trio performances and more of a group thing.