Last Dance

Released in 2014, 'Last Dance' serves as the final recorded chapter of the storied partnership between Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden, who first played together in Jarrett's 'American Quartet' in the 1960s. The material was culled from the same 2007 home-studio sessions that produced 'Jasmine', but critics often noted that 'Last Dance' feels more cohesive and emotionally resonant. Unlike Jarrett's high-energy 'Standards Trio' or his monumental solo improvisations, this duo setting is characterized by extreme melodic economy. Haden's health was declining during these years, and his playing here is a testament to his 'one perfect note' philosophy. The album is notable for its inclusion of 'Dance of the Infidels', a rare bebop excursion in an otherwise ballad-heavy set. Critics from AllMusic and All About Jazz praised the album for its 'amiable and eloquent speech', noting that it lacks the polarizing vocalizations often found in Jarrett's solo work, making it one of his most accessible and purely beautiful late-career entries.