Brad Mehldau Talks with Rick Beato, Performs on 'Everything Music'

"Brad Mehldau stands as a beacon of innovation in the jazz world, intertwining the richness of classical music with the spontaneity of jazz to create a sound uniquely his own," says Rick Beato, who spoke with Brad about his creative process and more for Beato's Everything Music series. "Mehldau has carved out a niche for himself not just as a pianist of exceptional skill and depth but also as a composer who likes to explore and blend genres. His ability to traverse musical landscapes—from the works of Bach to the songs of Radiohead—has not only garnered him critical acclaim but also a dedicated following ... Needless to say I’m a huge fan of Brad‘s music." You can watch their conversation with musical examples from Brad at the piano here:

Brad’s live solo album, Your Mother Should Know: Brad Mehldau Plays The Beatles, features interpretations of nine songs by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and one by George Harrison. Although other Beatles songs have long been staples of Mehldau’s shows, he had not previously recorded any of these tunes. The album, recorded in September 2020 at Philharmonie de Paris, ends with a David Bowie classic that draws a connection between The Beatles and pop songwriters who followed. "A great improvising pianist takes on The Beatles," says Mojo in its four-star review. "An inspired set that reveals new ways of hearing pop classics."