Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden broaden the scope of their duo project to showcase jazz classics like Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight" and Bud Powell's sprightly "Dance of the Infidels". Love songs, however, are to the fore in this selection, with tender versions of "My Old Flame", "My Ship", "It Might As Well Be Spring", "Everything Happens To Me", and "Every Time We Say Goodbye" as well as alternate takes of "Where Can I Go Without You" and "Goodbye", every bit as touching as the renditions on their previous best-selling album Jasmine (released in 2010).

"When we play together it's like two people singing", said Keith Jarrett of his reunion with Haden. The intentions of the song are honoured, the shades of meaning in a melody or a lyric explored instrumentally. As Charlie Haden put it, "Keith really listens, and I listen. That's the secret. It's about listening." The music of Last Dance was recorded at Keith Jarrett's home studio.