Scott Flanigan

In January 1975, piano virtuoso Keith Jarrett played in Köln, Germany, an improvised concert which became one of the biggest selling solo jazz records of all time, selling over 4 million copies. That the concert got off to the worst possible start helps explain its legendary status. The notoriously perfectionist Jarrett had asked for a grand piano. However, the organisers mistakenly ordered a baby grand that was in poor condition. Moreover, Jarrett arrived exhausted from an epic drive and suffering back pains. On seeing the baby grand he initially refused to play but was eventually persuaded. Despite or perhaps because of so many difficulties, he gave the performance of a lifetime.

51 years on from this iconic concert, pianist Scott Flanigan, founder of Scott’s Jazz Club and one of the most in-demand keyboardists on the Irish jazz scene, pays tribute to this remarkable concert with his own interpretation, performed and improvised on a grand piano.

Scott Flanigan is one of the foremost keyboard players in Ireland. He performs regularly across the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Germany, and has recently performed with Van Morrison, the Ulster Orchestra, Larry Coryell, Jean Toussaint, Jim Mullen and Kevin Brady. As a leader, Scott successfully tours his own contemporary piano trio, as well as a hard-swinging organ quartet. He also runs the award-winning Scott’s Jazz Club in East Belfast, a weekly jazz club bringing the best in Irish jazz to local audiences.