Keith Jarrett - Luminessence

Keith Jarrett Luminessence

Sudfunk Symphony Orchestra - Strings
Jan Garbarek - Tenor and Soprano Saxes

1. Numinor
2. Windsong
3. Luminessence





While this is a great album, it would be difficult to classify the music as "jazz." Keith Jarrett has been one of the top performing jazz pianists of the past 30 plus years. This recording was made in 1974, when Jarrett was mostly working with either of his influential quartets (American and European). Jarrett has also done quite a bit of work in the "classical" world of music as well (compared to other jazz musicians, at least). Jarrett released an album of some of his compositions for various classical ensembles called In the Light. I checked out In the Light from Northern Michigan University's L.R.C. a couple summers ago. I had high hopes listening to it, as their was a piece featuring Ralph Towner on guitar. After listening (admittedly, only once), I was somewhat disappointed with Jarrett's first compositional themed album.

When I was at Stardust record store in Thiensville, WI this past weekend, I came accross Luminessence. I decided to give it a try, if not only for the fact it was two dollars. The record is really good. One quality that I appreciate in music is if it can be satisfying background noise, but also reward close listening. While I just read on Wikipedia that many people in the classical community are somewhat dismissive of this recording, I feel that Keith's string parts and Jan Garbarek's sax improvisations are creative, accessible, and interesting. I would really be interested to see what kind of directions Keith gave Jan for his improvisations. I wonder if Garbarek was just going off of the melody, as he often bases his improvisations off of melodies stated in string sections.

My favorite track has been "Luminessence," but I must say the other two are good as well. "Numinor" contains an incredibly fiery sax cadenza a la John Coltrane or Albert Ayler. There is a lot of great interplay going on throughout "Luminessence." I really like the way the soloist, Garbarek, works with the string section with his improvisations. Throughout the whole album, Garbarek does a wonderful job of connecting his otherworldly outside playing into very smooth legato phrases to match what feeling the strings provoke. Much of the music sounds like it may fit well as incidental music in a play or a movie.

This is a good album, but it is not an essential purchase for a casual jazz listener. I would have linked some of the tracks to YouTube clips, but there are no samples on YouTube. That's too bad, because I feel most people would benefit from hearing the music, but I feel that many people would not end up playing this album a lot. I know there isn't really an option for renting music, but if you see this at a library, check it out and give it a few listens. Otherwise, you can always ask me to loan you my album, provided you have a record player to listen to the music on.