Brad Mehldau

Brad Mehldau transcends jazz piano, weaving classical romanticism, pop allure, and innovative experimentation into his performances and compositions, influencing a generation of musicians. After his first recording for Christopher Hollyday’s The Natural Moment in 1991 and subsequent European tour, Brad Mehldau began establishing his unique voice in jazz. An alumnus of The New School (1988), where he studied under pianists Fred Hersch, Junior Mance, and Kenny Werner, Mehldau also received the Berklee College of Music’s Best All-Round Musician Award. In 1994, he formed his first long-term trio with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jorge Rossy.

In 2009, he released Highway Rider, an orchestral project featuring his trio and a 28-piece orchestra. He held Carnegie Hall’s Richard and Barbara Debs Composer’s Chair from 2010 to 2011, a first for a jazz musician. Mehldau continued exploring diverse musical formats and collaborations throughout the 2010s. In 2011, he released Modern Music with Kevin Hays and Patrick Zimmerli, and undertook European tours with Anne Sofie von Otter, Chris Thile, and Joshua Redman.

Most recently, Mehldau published his memoir, Formation: Building a Personal Canon, Part 1, in 2023, offering an intimate look into his creative process.