This is a rare gem! The German magazine "DER SPIEGEL" wrote about initiator George Gruntz in October 1973: "He is the artistic director of the Berlin Jazz Days, music director of the Zurich Schauspielhaus, he has composed jazz, chamber music and an opera - "but above all," says George Gruntz, "I am a pianist." However, the Basel native was not even able to realize his "dream idea" of uniting seven piano players on around 30 keyboard instruments from the harpsichord to the synthesizer to form a "pianist orchestra" at his Berlin Jazz Days - there was a lack of money. Now Austrian television has fulfilled his dream. Last week, Gruntz produced the one-hour TV film “Piano Conclave” (working title) in Vienna with jazz stars Keith Jarrett, Martial Solal, Gordon Beck, Wolfgang Dauner, Fritz Pauer and Jasper van't Hof. which is also to be shown in Germany. "It was important to me," says Gruntz, "that there was no random session in the studio, but that a real orchestra was created." The "Music for 14 Hands" may soon also be on one record can be heard; Next summer the piano band will play at the Newport Festival in New York."
Well, finally Jarrett didn't join the 14 hands orchestra, but did a solo performance which was captured for the TV film. You can see it in full length here. It is a typical Jarrett impro in the early 70ies style of the Bremen/Lausanne era. Happy Holidays and a peaceful 2024 to all of you!