Jarrett's own music avoids simple categorisation. He makes distinctive use of ostinati—persistently repeated phrases or rhythms—and his melodies are often unlike conventional jazz tunes, being more abstract and ethereal in nature.
Although Jarrett often worked in a group setting over the years, it is his solo improvisations that yielded his best and most original work. An outstanding example is his 1977 album, Staircase, which contains a particularly good illustration of his musical fusion entitled...