2003, the 20th anniversary year of the Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette trio, begins with the announcement that Keith Jarrett has won the prestigious Polar Music Prize. Jarrett is the sole prize-winner this year as, for the first time, the Polar jury sets aside its habitual “popular" and “serious" categorization. The pianist has resolutely ignored such criteria throughout his career, and the terms can have little meaning when applied to the work of this perennially popular and eminently serious jazz improviser and classical interpreter.
“The Polar Music Prize for 2003 is being awarded to the American musician, Keith Jarrett, pianist, composer and master of the field of improvisational music. Keith Jarrett's musical artistry is characterised by his ability to effortlessly cross boundaries in the world of music." (Extract from the Citation)
Presented in Stockholm by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and administered by the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, the Polar Music Prize (instigated 1992) has come to be recognised as one of the world's more significant music awards. The Polar Music Prize - awarded in the amount of one million Swedish Crowns - is given to individuals, groups or institutions in recognition of exceptional achievement in the creation and advancement of music. Past winners have included Pierre Boulez, Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar, Iannis Xenakis, Joni Mitchell, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Witold Lutoslawski, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Dizzy Gillespie, Paul McCartney, Mstislav Rostropovich, Sofia Gubaidulina, Quincy Jones, Miriam Makeba, Stevie Wonder, Robert Moog, and Isaac Stern.
Keith Jarrett will receive his prize from His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at a gala ceremony at Berwaldhallen in Stockholm to be followed by a celebratory banquet at Grand H
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