Keith Jarrett Receives Golden Lion at Venice Biennale Music Festival

The 62nd International Festival of Contemporary Music of La Biennale di Venezia will award the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement to American pianist and composer Keith Jarrett. The award was decided by the Board of Directors of La Biennale di Venezia, chaired by Paolo Baratta, upon proposal of Music Director Ivan Fedele. The Silver Lion will go to French-Argentine musician Sebastian Rivas. Jarrett, born in Allentown in 1945, is considered one of the most important musicians of the last 100 years, known for his solo improvisations such as The Köln Concert (1975) and Sun Bear Concerts (1976). He began his career with Miles Davis and later recorded for ECM. The award ceremony will take place on September 29, 2018, where Jarrett will perform an improvisation. Rivas will receive his award on October 6, 2018, and will perform his work Aliados, centered on Margaret Thatcher and Augusto Pinochet.