The legend of Cologne: How Vera Brandes wrote jazz history!

The legend of Cologne: How Vera Brandes wrote jazz history!

On January 24, 1975, the renowned jazz pianist Keith Jarrett performed in the Cologne Opera House. This concert, which later became known as the "Cologne Concert", has shaped jazz history sustainably. In the Cologne Opera, Jarrett played on a Half concert wing in Bösendorf, which was in a questionable condition. The concert took place under unfavorable prerequisites. Jarrett, who was almost 30 years old at the time and was already a legend in jazz, suffered from back problems and was tired and in a bad mood, which was still tightened by the rainy weather. Nevertheless, the 18-year-old organizer Vera Brandes convinced the pianist to play the concert, even though he had expected a high quality instrument.

The framework conditions before the concert were anything but optimal. Brandes was just 17 years old and had convinced Jarrett about another organizer. Two piano technicians worked for hours to make the scrap wing playable. The condition of the instrument led Jarrett's way of playing a major influence. He played simpler, gospel melodies that shaped the groove of the concert. The recording was published on November 30, 1975 and developed into the most successful solo piano album in jazz, with sales of around 3.5 million copies until 2008. The film "Cologne 75" by Ido Fluk, which tells the story behind the concert, illuminates the extraordinary circumstances and brand passion for jazz.

an unforgettable experience

Vera Brandes remembered the dense atmosphere during the concert, which received further intensity from the problems of the wing and the challenges that Jarrett was facing. To date, the "Cologne Concert" is extremely popular on vinyl, CD and as a stream. The influence of the concert on the jazz landscape is undeniable. Jarrett had already played with greats like Art Blakey and Miles Davis, but in Cologne he once again demonstrated that he could captivate the audience with his music.

The film "Cologne 75" also addresses the social changes in the 1970s and the development of jazz. The history of the event is not only that of an unforgettable concert, but also that of Vera Brandes that managed to convince Jarrett despite all the adversities. In addition, it is discussed in the film that the wing itself is not audible, since Jarrett and the producer Manfred Eicher did not want this. An upcoming documentary about the "Cologne Concert" and the wing promises to give deeper insights into this extraordinary episode of music history.

The lasting effect of the "Cologne Concert" and the personal stories behind this masterpiece of jazz still shape the memory of one of the most important performances in music history.