Pushkin

As the night draws in and the fire blazes on the hearth, we warn the children by telling

them stories.

The Juniper tree teaches them, oh I don't know what it's just horrendous, don't Google

it.

But my stories are for the education of the grownups and my stories are all true.

I'm Tim Halford, gather close and listen to my cautionary tales.

Late in January 1975, a German teenager named Vera Brandes walked out onto the stage

of the Cologne Opera House.

Your tutorial was empty.

Lit only by the dim green glow of the emergency exit sign.

This was the most exciting day of Vera's life.

Vera loved jazz and was frustrated that there just wasn't enough good jazz in Cologne.

So at the age of 16, she had started to arrange concerts herself.

Tonight would be the fifth and by far the biggest.

Vera Brandes had persuaded the Cologne Opera House to host a late night concert of jazz

from the American pianist Keith Jarrett, a remarkable venue for a remarkable 29 year old

musician.

Jarrett had already played with greats such as Art Blakey and Miles Davis, but now he

was on his own.

The vast auditorium was sold out.

1,500 people were coming, easily the largest audience for Jarrett's tour of improvised piano

...