Run time: 116 mins

(Subtitled)

Language: English, German

This light and zippy music biopic explores the story behind one of the most famous concerts ever performed.

Keith Jarrett (John Magaro) is an American jazz pianist and composer renowned for his virtuosic improvisational performances, most famously the one at the Opera House in Cologne on the night of January 24, 1975 — the recording of which remains the best-selling solo album in the history of jazz.

The central character, Vera Brandes (Mala Emde) is the 18-year-old spitfire who organised the concert, promoted it, and — at a crucial moment — cajoled Jarrett into going through with it, after he had decided to back out.

She needs 10,000 Deutsche Marks to rent the hall, which her mother lends her on the sly; Vera promises that she’ll either pay her back or quit the music business. But all of this is merely the set-up for the major mishap that happens. We pick up with Jarrett on the road, driving the 500 kilometres to Cologne because Jarrett needs to cash in the plane ticket the record company sent him if he’s going to have enough money to sustain the tour. Köln 75 is fun lark with an infectious spirit.