Jarrett Wigs Out in Umbria!!??

[gonzo]

it my understanding that jarrett wigged out on in crowd photogrphers recently in umbria. its said that the festival promoter pagnotta has stated that jarrett will never play the umbria festival again. was anybody there??!!
how bad was it??

[Ron Thorne]

Apparently, Keith wasn't on his best behavior.

I wasn't there, but . . .

» 2007-07-11 12:37

Umbria Jazz to shun Keith Jarrett

American pianist loses cool and insults public and city

(ANSA) - Perugia, July 11 - Organizers of the Umbria Jazz festival said on Wednesday that they will never invite American pianist Keith Jarrett back, after he lost his cool and insulted the public and this central Italian city at the end of a performance Tuesday night. Jarrett refused to give any encores at the end of his second set because of the spectators taking pictures and, in reply to heckles from some members of the audience, called Perugia a "damn city". "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," said the festival's artistic director Carlo Pagnotta. "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. "People came here from far away and spent a lot of money to see him and did not deserve to be treated like that. Of course, the insults from the audience are to be condemned, too, but by that time Jarrett had already spoiled the atmosphere," he observed. "Although we have decided that his music will no longer be heard at Umbria Jazz, Jarrett remains part of the festival's history," Pagnotta said. Jarrett first played at Umbria Jazz in 1974. Tuesday's concert began with a curt Jarrett telling the audience not to take pictures, otherwise he and his trio would leave. Organizers pointed out that while the public is often asked not to take pictures, such a request almost never comes from the performers themselves. Jarrett, 62, started his career playing with jazz greats Art Blakey, Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis. He came into his own during the 1970s playing both classical music and jazz, as a group leader and a solo performer. His improvisational technique combines not only jazz, but also other forms of music, especially classical, gospel, blues and various ethnic-folk musics. Source

[Gentle Giant]

I've long wished that Jarrett would leave the talking to his fingers.

[guy]

An AAJ forum member was there and quotes Jarrett as saying the following:

”I don’t speak Italian, but I hope that somebody who speaks English tell those assholes to shut off those fucking cameras. Until you don’t do it, music won’t be at its best and you will have spent your money for nothing. I’m speaking to you, you, you, and you, and also you up there. If I see one single flash during the concert, I and Gary and Jack reserve to ourselves the right to stop playing and leave this goddamn city. It’s your privilege to be here, not mine.”

What a jackass!

Guy

[Ron Thorne]

With all of his considerable intelligence and talent, Keith apparently hasn't learned how to embrace the rather simple and important concept of enlightened self-interest.

How pathetic.

[Captain Hate]

Anybody that's surprised by this really hasn't been paying attention. I have a friend who, like MCE, is willing to overlook every example of boorish behaviour and chalk it up to the "artistic temperment". To hell with that: A jackass is a jackass and it's time to have that recognized.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

I have a friend who, like MCE, is willing to overlook every example of boorish behaviour and chalk it up to the "artistic temperment". To hell with that: A jackass is a jackass and it's time to have that recognized.

I couldn't agree more, Cap'n.

I can't imagine Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette not being considerably embarrassed by this behavior.

[Ron Thorne]

Here's some video from one of (if not Keith's 1st) performances (ca. 1974) in Perugia, Italy, and you'll note a flash going off very early in the clip.

Classic footage.

Keith Jarrett @ Umbria

[bugsbunny]

I take this differently. What I hear keith saying is.." I want this music to be the best it can be, making the music "perfect' is my ultimate goal and YOU will benefit from a listening perspective if that happens. I cant do this is flashing cameras are going off."

So I think Keith is so much about the music (to the exclusion of peoples feelings and extra musical concerns) that he has no choice but to get angry.

Kind of like Miles couldnt play stuff he already played he "had to " play new music and continually be on the cusp of something new all the time.

Just my 2 cents take on it.

[guy]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

I can't imagine Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette not being considerably embarrassed by this behavior.

I would like to think so too, but...

Jack actually had a rant of his own at the recent trio performance @ Carnegie Hall.

Guy

[Enforcer]

The best musicians and artists are generally high strung cocksuckers who have contempt for the unwashed masses and carry around a chip on their shoulders because they feel underappreciated. This is nothing new.

I certainly fall into that category.

[Captain Hate]

Originally Posted by bugsbunny

So I think Keith is so much about the music (to the exclusion of peoples feelings and extra musical concerns) that he has no choice but to get angry.

This is total ratshit. Keithy should play in front of a bunch of fucking robots that never have to cough (yes, Keith, they're doing a normal human reflexive action only to piss you off, jackhole) or, you know, ACT HUMAN!!!!! btw, is this the same sap that wants us to feel sorry for whatever the fuck he had that kept him from performing? Fuck off, cockwipe; tell it to Manfred.

Originally Posted by bugsbunny

Kind of like Miles couldnt play stuff he already played he "had to " play new music and continually be on the cusp of something new all the time.

Using Miles as a model for behaviour isn't setting the bar very high.

btw, nice nic.

[Jesse]

I don't see you as high strung.

[john williams]

What a prick. Don't really care for his autoerotic wails either. Who's fucking priviledge is it to hear that self indulgent nonsense? Jarrett's a wanker and always has been. I sold all my Jarrett years ago after realising this.

[BrianL1]

This seems to be a bit of a theme on his current tour. At his montreal gig he gave a camera warning after the end of his second set when some flashing commenced, but the offenders in the audience put down their gear (or at least turned off the flashes) and we got two encores.

Sure Keith is a bit of a jerk about this (and the dissing of the city can't really be excused), but the audience should respect the no camera policy... or at least be smart enough to turn off the flashes (which are all but useless at the distances being used in any case).

[Enforcer]

Hehehe. Nice, Jesse.

[hornplayer]

Originally Posted by bugsbunny

I take this differently. What I hear keith saying is.." I want this music to be the best it can be, making the music "perfect' is my ultimate goal and YOU will benefit from a listening perspective if that happens. I cant do this is flashing cameras are going off."

If that's what he meant, then he should have SAID it that way. He didn't.

[Bill Barton]

It's rather curious that this is considered "news" after all these years. I recall a solo piano performance in the 1970s on the porch at Shelburne Farms in Vermont (talk about yuppie heaven!) Jarrett got all bent out of shape about the shutters clicking in that instance as there were no flashes. Let's put it this way: I'd rather hear him on a recording than watch him writhe and hear him diss photographers. The man is - superlative alert - a genius but he's usually a pain in the ass in performance.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

I can't imagine Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette not being considerably embarrassed by this behavior.

Originally Posted by guy

I would like to think so too, but...

Jack actually had a rant of his own at the recent trio performance @ Carnegie Hall.

I'm not so sure about Peacock either. I once heard him physically threaten an audience member in The Hague during a show he was doing with Martial Solal, also for taking photos. Peacock is also the guy who was too serious an artiste to appear with Elvis Costello at a birthday celebration for a friend (Konitz, I believe) at Iridium and walked out.

[Gary Sisco]

Yeah but look at what Jarrett's wearing in the photograph. No wonder he didn't want photos taken. ;-)

I listen to his records. I'd not go out to hear him.

[John L]

Mr. Artistic Sensitivity himself is unbelievable.

That said, the American vernacular of "if ... then we reserve the right to leave this goddamn city" is not really the same thing as declaring a city "damned."

If this case, however, I don't believe that Keithy-poo deserves any better.

[bigtiny]

You know, what really gets me about this kind of thing is that the musicians' concerns over cameras and the like are total bullshit. They're not worried about being distracted or the performance suffering....they're worried somebody might sell a photograph of them and they won't get their cut!!!

What, a flash going off is going to distract the 'artiste'....bullshit! It doesn't distract them when it's Downbeat or JazzTimes taking the picture, does it?!?!?!

These fucking prima donnas need to get over themselves and Jarrett's the worse of the bunch....he's been whining for 30 years about everything in the world. Gee, it must be hard to be a genius AND a millionaire, huh?

bigtiny

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Jarrett complaining about noises during his performance?? Then why doesn't he zip his lip when he's playing? He sometimes whines so loudly that the audience can't hear his piano.

[julieswi]

noise? I can understand that distraction, but flashes going off? who does he think he is demanding no one is allowed to take pictures? How very arrogant!

[Root Doctor]

Keith Jarrett? Wasn't he popular in the 70s?

[guy]

Originally Posted by julieswi

noise? I can understand that distraction, but flashes going off? who does he think he is demanding no one is allowed to take pictures? How very arrogant!

I can understand why flashes of bright light would be bothersome to a performer. (None of which excuses Jarrett's behavior.)

[BlueMiles]

Curious to hear that his bandmates (fine musicians) can be idiots at times too. I guess that's why they've been with Jarrett for so long.

Now, who would expect Jarrett to change?

Given his antagonism toward audiences, I am amazed that most of his CDs are recorded in concert. That practically defies belief.

[Enforcer]

Originally Posted by BlueMiles

Given his antagonism toward audiences, I am amazed that most of his CDs are recorded in concert. That practically defies belief.

In a way, it makes sense. After being browbeaten by the band about how to behave, it's probably as quiet as a studio.

[Dan G]

I'm going to defend Jarrett: I've been to too many concerts where I' ve been annoyed by people talking, taking pictures (flashes are extremely annoying), answering phones, walking around, doing all kinds of things except pay attention to the music that if I'd spent years honing my craft I'd be telling them to fuck off too. He may be acting the way he does for his own reasons, but he may also want an environment where the rest of the audience can enjoy the music without distraction.

I've been at other shows where similar things happened; I recall one musician (I can't remember who it was right now, maybe Charles Gayle? not sure...) at the Rivoli in Toronto (rock club used for jazz during the festival...cool spot to be seen hanging out...) stopping the band mid-song and asking a group of people to leave if they wanted to keep talking. The rest of us applauded him!

As for the groaning while he is playing, if you don't like it, why do you listen to him? It's an integral part of his music, and asking him not to do it would be like asking Evan Parker to stop doing the circular breathing, William Parker to not use a bow...

[justinruins]

Part of being a jazz performer is realizing that while many audience members are hanging on every phrase in rapt attention, there is always going to be a group who couldn't give a shit less.

While my bass teacher was taking a guitar solo at a club, a drunk lady actually reached out and started stroking his hair. He jerked his head away and kept playing and she took the hint. However, for the rest of the song she stood right in front of him and swore at him, while he ignored it all and finished the song. She later apologized to him. I was amazed at his professionaism and self control.

Jarrett is contemptuous of his audience, hence the groaning, bitching, and scolding. Some people can accept all of that because they think he's such a great musician, some people prefer musicians whose demeanors prove to be less of a distraction.