Jarrett began piano lessons at the age of two and played for the first time on stage at the age of seven. In 1962 he played a self-composed two-hour concert, without the benefit of any prior formal instruction in orchestration or composition. After working with a wide variety of musicians, beginning in 1966, including Chet Baker, Lee Konitz and Art Blakey, he founded his own band in 1968 with Charlie Haden and Paul Motian. In 1971-76 Dewey Redman (saxophone) joined the group and they played under the name of the "American Quartet". His work with Miles Davis between 1969 and 1971 gave his career an additional boost, as well as the opportunity to play solo concerts such as the "Köln Concert" (1975, Cologne, Germany), honoured by Time Magazine as album of the year.
Since the early 1970s, he has enjoyed a great deal of success, both artistic and commercial, in both classical and jazz music as a group leader and a solo performer. His improvisation technique combines jazz, classical, gospel, blues, and various ethnic-folk musics. He is considered by some, to be the "Bach" of jazz music; this title may have come from his recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, which, although it received many awards, was not entirely approved by critics.
In the 1990s he suffered chronic fatigue syndrome only to take up the piano again in 1998. He worked in a trio form with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette until 2014.
Jarrett stated in a 2005 TV interview that his music is influenced by the teachings and philosophy of Georges I. Gurdjieff, whom he honoured in "Sacred Hymns" (ECM, 1980). This philosophy informs many of his non-musical beliefs as well.
In 2008, he was inducted into the Down Beat Hall of Fame in the magazine's 73rd annual readers' poll.
In 2010, to coincide with his 65th birthday he released his first studio album in 12 years - Jasmine. It reunited Jarrett with his old bassist colleague Charlie Haden; the two had not recorded together for over 30 years.
Mona Lisa
Keith Jarrett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're so like the lady with the mystic smile
Is it only cause you're lonely they have blamed you
For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile
Do you smile to tempt a lover Mona Lisa?
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart?
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
They just lie there, and they die there
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art.
Do you smile to tempt a lover Mona Lisa?
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart?
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
They just lie there, and they die there
Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa?
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art.
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa.
The lyrics to Keith Jarrett's song Mona Lisa describe the enigmatic smile of the famous painting of the same name by Leonardo da Vinci. The song is essentially a wondering about the Mona Lisa's true character and motivations. Jarrett asks if her smile is a way to entice a lover or if it's a facade used to hide a broken heart. He also ponders if the Mona Lisa is simply an object of beauty, or if there is a real warmth and humanity beneath the surface.
The repetition of the questions about the Mona Lisa's motives and feelings seem to suggest that there is no clear answer. Jarrett seems to be expressing a sense of fascination and frustration with the painting, as well as an acknowledgment of the enduring mystery that surrounds it. Ultimately, the Mona Lisa is both a work of art and a symbol of the enduring human need for connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa men have named you
You have been given the name Mona Lisa by men
You're so like the lady with the mystic smile
Your appearance is similar to that of a woman with a mysterious smile
Is it only cause you're lonely they have blamed you
Are they blaming your strange behavior solely because you are lonely?
For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile
Your smile has a strange quality that is attributed to Mona Lisa
Do you smile to tempt a lover Mona Lisa?
Are you purposely smiling to seduce a lover, Mona Lisa?
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart?
Is your smile a guise for concealing a broken heart?
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
Numerous aspirations have been presented to you
They just lie there, and they die there
However, they remain lying there, unfulfilled and ultimately forgotten
Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa?
Are you affectionate and genuine, Mona Lisa?
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art.
Or are you simply a beautiful but emotionless piece of art?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Ray Evans, Jay Livingston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@3flyte_3flyte
Jazz is like an ocean. You dive in and you find gems in the sand and the waves are warm as it crashes over you, never hurting, always caressing.
@oliviaedralin1436
Wow. That’s an indelible comment. It sure is!
@itevgw
Как красиво вы написали !!! ❤
@spencercook4857
When you do get out of your comfort zone and the waves get too big, you can always swim back to what you like. Nothing wrong with enjoying what you like. There's so much jazz out there.
@The_Invisible_Man
Uh?
@DesertRose76
One of the most beautiful definitions of jazz I've ever read! Thank you for that -- it warmed my heart!
@orlando4166
There will never be Artificial Intelligence that can create this, much less overcome it. Every time I listen to this Genius improvising I verify that life is not absurd.
@SpencerTwiddy
Not the way they’re building it now… but at some point there might be
@taylorrobinson9245
Love the sentiment, but yes there will. This an better.
@korieklion
You don’t know anything about artificial intelligence their potentional. Why are you assuming that artificial intelligence can’t have emotions. It depends on what they sense and feel.