Köln 75 (Koln 75)

Köln 75 (15) 117min

Keith Jarrett's legendary performance in January 1975 nearly didn't happen. Based on a true story, Köln 75 follows how the concert was conceived and orchestrated by the efforts of a teenage up-and-coming concert promoter, Vera Brandes (played by Mala Emde). Her enthusiasm drives her to multitask: organizing the concert venue (the Cologne Opera House), promoting the event, selling tickets, and convincing Jarrett to perform when he almost dropped out because the Bösendorfer Imperial Grand piano he was promised was nowhere to be found.

John Magaro plays Jarrett with intensity that forms a sublime counterpoint to Mala Emde's joyful portrayal of the unstoppable Vera. Köln 75 captures the compelling and until-now little-known back story about Jarrett's one-hour entirely improvised concert, which became the best-selling solo album in jazz history.