Brad Mehldau Trio

Since its first trio album in 1995, the Brad Mehldau Trio has become one of the top ensembles in contemporary jazz. Mehldau’s mixes melancholic and romantic tunes with exciting swing music. Together with bass player Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard, Brad Mehldau founded an elegant and brilliant trio. Their latest album is called Ode.

Mehldau is 41 years old and is one of the most famous names in contemporary jazz. When he arrived in New York in 1989, he had spent his whole youth playing the piano. Accompanied by the famous saxophonist Joshua Redman he became more and more successful.

His first album called ‘Introducing Brad Mehldau’ was immediately a succes. It was the start of a new upcoming romantic pianist. Mehldau had a refined sensitive manner of playing with a touch of tenderness. It was not only his style but his appearance as well that sharpened his image.

By performing songs from Radiohead, The Beatles and Paul Simon or from singer-songwriters such as Nick Drake and Elliott Smith, he attracted a younger, more trendy audience. His music is intimate and seductive having a rhythm that makes you wanting to move. He is an expert in bringing both standards as well as ballads.

His latest album ‘Ode’ is a tribute to diverse both existing and fictional characters. It is the trio’s first album since ‘Live at the Village Vanguard’ (2008) and its first studio recording since ‘Day is Done’ (2005). Ode contains eleven songs.

“The new album ‘Ode’ is a compilation of original songs that I wrote for the trio. Most of the songs are tributes to other people and I started to realize that the songs could be considered as odes, or even as poetry without words. The song titled ‘M.B.’ is a tribute to the late Michael Brecker, ‘Wyatt’s Eulogy for George Hanson’ is composed for a character from the film Easy Rider and ‘Kurt Vibe’ is written for guitar player Kurt Rosenwinkel.”

In 2009, Brad Mehldau gave a memorable concert during the Gent Jazz Festival. With his two independent, skillful hands he played full of life and rhythm. He gave an enthusiastic but controlled wonderful concert full of hidden emotions. Not to be missed!