The concert, organized by 18-year-old Vera Brandes, took place at 11:30 pm at the Köln Opera House, the only time available for a jazz performance. The show, the first jazz concert at the venue, was sold out with over 1,400 attendees. At Jarrett’s request, Brandes had chosen a Bösendorfer 290 Imperial grand piano, but the staff mistakenly placed a smaller, poorly maintained baby grand on stage. Despite efforts to replace it, the correct piano couldn't arrive in time due to logistical issues and weather conditions. The baby grand was in bad shape, requiring extensive tuning, and had functional issues with the pedals and sound.