Keith Jarrett

Since transcending idiom a quarter century ago with the crossover smash Köln Concert, pianist Keith Jarrett has thrived on a take-it-or-leave-it attitude toward jazz convention. He'll use hoary standards as an intermittent home base, while also lobbing grenades at the purists via classical and multi-instrumental forays. What's remained consistent is Jarrett’s relentless pursuit of beauty: There’s a special kind of bluesy rapture that only his nakedly emotional flights can provide.