Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette had originally worked together on a 1977 album headline by Peacock,
Tales of Another, coming back together in 1983 when producer
Manfred Eicher proposed a trio album to Jarrett. Jarrett approached Peacock and DeJohnette with the idea of performing standards, which was greatly contrary to the contemporary jazz scene of the early 1980s. The three joined in a studio in
Manhattan, New York City for a two and a half day session during which they recorded enough material for three albums, the two
Standards albums and
Changes. For that session, as in subsequent, the trio did not rehearse or pre-plan their playlist. DeJohnette, also speaking to the
San Francisco Chronicle, recalled that the trio had agreed to "do this until we don't feel like doing this anymore". In 2008, the trio celebrated its 25th anniversary, becoming during that time "the preeminent jazz group interpreting standards". ==Reception==