Happy Accidents #70 - The Köln Concert

This week in the Happy Accidents newsletter, we take a look at how someone took an unfortunate situation and turned it into an unexpected masterpiece.

Today’s story explores the serendipitous tale of Keith Jarrett and "The Köln Concert," a now infamous recording in the world of jazz music.

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Let's dig in, shall we?

SETTING THE STAGE

This is the part of every Happy Accident story where we see every successful outcome starts with the person putting themselves in a favorable position. They work hard, they try new things, they meet new people. They're not just sitting around 'hoping' to be successful some day.

Born on May 8, 1945, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Keith Jarrett began playing piano at a young age and showed exceptional talent early on.

Although he received formal training in classical music, it was jazz he was drawn to as a teenager. He particularly enjoyed the music of artists like Miles Davis, Bill Evans, and Thelonious Monk.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Jarrett established himself as a versatile and in-demand musician, collaborating with various jazz luminaries, including Charles Lloyd, Art Blakey, and Miles Davis. He also led his own groups and began recording albums as a bandleader.

But it was a Happy Accident that really put Jarrett on the map and solidified his status as a jazz legend in his own right.

THE HAPPY ACCIDENT

This is the part of every success story where there's a chance encounter, a serendipitous moment, an unintentional discovery (or Happy Accident) that paves the way for the next steps. In some cases, a Happy Accident can even be disguised as something bad in the moment.

In 1975, Jarrett arrived at the opera house in Cologne, Germany, to perform a concert.

However, upon his arrival, he discovered the piano provided for him was in terrible condition—out of tune, with sticky keys, and some even producing no sound at all!

Uh oh, now what?

But rather than cancel the performance, Jarrett decided to work with what he had. Being a true pro, he improvised the entire concert, making use of the limitations of the instrument.

The unconventional piano, with its unique sound and quirks, ended up shaping the music that night in unexpected ways. Jarrett embraced the challenges and incorporated them into his performance, resulting in a truly remarkable and intimate musical experience.

Check out this video where Keith Jarrett shares the art of improvisation 👇

CAPITALIZING

Just like Happy Accidents don't just fall into your lap (you need to set the stage first), they also don't turn into anything if you don't recognize them and take action. This is the part of every success story where we see people capitalizing on their Happy Accident.

The recording of this concert became "The Köln Concert," which went on to become not only Jarrett's most famous work but also the best-selling solo jazz album in history.

In a sense, the limitations imposed by the old piano led to a serendipitous outcome, showcasing Jarrett's improvisational genius and resulting in a timeless masterpiece.

Would that concert and the resulting live album be nearly as popular had he’d working with a proper piano that night?

I guess….we’ll never know.

Here’s Keith himself talking about that fateful concert 👇

TOO LONG; DIDN’T READ (TL;DR)

Keith Jarrett's "The Köln Concert" arose from a serendipitous event in 1975 when he arrived to perform in Cologne, Germany, only to find an old, poorly maintained piano awaiting him. Rather than cancel, Jarrett improvised a solo piano concert, embracing the instrument's limitations.

This improvised performance, born out of necessity, became the best-selling solo jazz album in history, showcasing Jarrett's improvisational genius and solidifying his legacy as one of the most innovative pianists in jazz.

Some fun facts:

• Keith Jarrett's performance at the Cologne Opera House for "The Köln Concert" was entirely improvised. He didn’t rehearse or plan any specific pieces beforehand, making each performance of the concert unique and spontaneous.

• The recording of "The Köln Concert" captures not only Jarrett's piano playing but also the sounds of the audience. Despite initially considering the recording unusable due to the audience's coughing and other noises, ECM Records decided to release it as-is, adding to the concert's intimate and authentic atmosphere.

• "The Köln Concert" is not only Keith Jarrett's most famous album but also the best-selling solo piano album in jazz history, selling over 4 million copies worldwide to date.

• During the time of the Cologne concert, Keith Jarrett was suffering from significant back pain, which added to the physical challenge of performing for over two hours straight. Despite this, he delivered an extraordinary and unforgettable performance.

The lessons here:

1. Embrace limitations: Keith Jarrett's willingness to work with the imperfect instrument he was given demonstrates the importance of adapting to and making the most of constraints or limitations. Instead of letting obstacles deter you, turn them into opportunities for creativity and exploration.

2. Creativity under pressure: When faced with unexpected challenges, (like performing on an old and poorly maintained piano in front of a live audience!) Jarrett exemplified the ability to think on his feet and find innovative solutions. This underscores the importance of maintaining composure and harnessing creativity even in high-pressure situations.

3. Resilience and perseverance: Jarrett's decision not to cancel the concert despite the unfavorable circumstances highlights the value of resilience and perseverance. Rather than giving up in the face of adversity, learn to push through and deliver a memorable performance!

Happy Accidents Podcast

If you’re a music love who enjoys a good happy accident story, check out this episode of the podcast that explores how 2 different iconic songs were written completely by accident!

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