Actor John Magaro on Köln 75: 'This was a unique moment in time for jazz'
The actor discusses stepping into the shoes of jazz icon Keith Jarrett, mastering the pianist’s unique style and recreating one of music’s most celebrated performances
When jazz pianist Keith Jarrett performed in Cologne in 1975, the result was a legendary moment in music. The acclaimed gig was recorded and released as The Köln Concert, a landmark work that became the best-selling solo jazz album in history. New movie Köln 75 documents that show, as seen through the eyes of Vera Brandes, the teenage German go-getter who organised the entire concert.
Playing Jarrett is John Magaro, the American indie stalwart famed for roles in First Cow, Past Lives and September 5. During prep, he learned how Jarrett would change his set every night, improvising at the piano. ‘It’s bold,’ says Magaro. ‘For him, it was an experiment though he didn’t continue to do that throughout his career; he went back to more traditional jazz after that, but this was a unique moment in time for jazz, and I respect his courage in doing that.’
Co-starring with Mala Emde, who plays Brandes, Magaro worked with award-winning pianist Scott Gentile to perfect his ivory-tinkling skills. ‘So much more than that was learning the mannerisms of Keith,’ says Magaro. ‘He has a very specific way of playing, which could become a parody if you don’t really dissect it in the right way. And a big part of my time with Scott was dissecting the way he played and why he did what he did. That was months of work to figure that out.’ It’s been a creatively stimulating experience for Magaro, not least the added pleasure of spending time with hardcore Jarrett aficionados. ‘If you’re a fan of Keith Jarrett, you’re a fan of Keith Jarrett,’ he says. ‘You know everything and you really love him. So it’s been fascinating to have those conversations with his true fans.’
Köln 75 is in cinemas from Friday 5 June.