RUFFIN: NOW, A JAZZ MOMENT

PIANIST KEITH JARRETT WAS A CHILD PRODIGY TRAINED IN CLASSICALMUSIC. BUT EARLY ON, HE FELT THE NEED TO IMPROVISE.

Keith Jarrett: I remember saying, "There's more than this. There's more to do than this."

RUFFIN: IT ALL CAME TOGETHER FOR HIM WHEN HE WAS A TEENAGER AND DISCOVERED FELLOW JAZZ MASTER AHMAD JAMAL’S RECORDING, PORTFOLIO OF AHMAD JAMAL, THE SO-CALLED “WHITE ALBUM.”

Keith Jarrett: I found the "White" album of Ahmad Jamal's and put that on.  I heard Ahmad's trio and I heard the space in it. There's three guys playing, but they're leaving spaces. And there's phrasing that was contagious. And I would say that was a defining moment.

THIS JAZZ MOMENT WITH 2014 KEITH JARRETT WAS PRODUCED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

Excerpt of "Ahmad Jamal’s Blues" composed by Ahmad Jamal and performed by the Ahmad Jamal, from the album Portfolio of Ahmad Jamal, used courtesy of Universal Music and by permission of Warner Tamerlane / Warner Chappell Music (BMI).