Staircase

Recorded in May 1976 at Studio Davout in Paris, Staircase stands as a significant anomaly in Keith Jarrett's discography. While Jarrett is synonymous with the 'solo live concert' format, this is one of his few purely improvisational solo studio albums. The session occurred spontaneously after Jarrett and producer Manfred Eicher finished recording a film soundtrack early; impressed by the studio's piano, they utilized the remaining time to capture these four suites: Staircase, Hourglass, Sundial, and Sand. Sonically, the album is characterized by a 'dry' and intimate production style typical of ECM's 1970s output, emphasizing the instrument's natural resonance without the reverb of a large concert hall. Critically, it is often debated; some critics miss the 'ecstatic' energy of his live audiences, while others, like biographer Wolfgang Sandner, consider it his most lyrically perfect achievement. It represents a bridge between his jazz roots and his later focus on classical interpretation.