Brad Mehldau's recent concert at Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band conducted and with arrangements by its composer-in-residence Darcy James Argue, can now be seen on ARTE. "Brad Mehldau ranks among the most significant jazz pianists of our time," says ARTE. "One of the most influential pianists of recent decades, Mehldau has garnered a following extending far beyond the jazz world." Argue, whom ARTE says "possesses the ability to propel big-band music into uncharted territory," has has been nominated for the JJA Jazz Award for Arranger of the Year; his arrangements can be heard on Cécile McLorin Salvant's forthcoming orchestral album, With Every Breath I Take.

Brad Mehldau has announced four live performances of music from Ride into the Sun, his 2025 songbook record of music by Elliott Smith, this summer: three in California in late August, in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Oakland, followed by the Groton Hill Music Center in Massachusetts on September 2. All four performances include singer/mandolinist Chris Thile, bassist John Davis, and drummer Matt Chamberlain, who perform on the album, plus singer/guitarist Blake Mills and a chamber orchestra led by Dan Coleman, reprising his album role, here with USC Thornton Chamber Virtuosi in California and A Far Cry chamber orchestra in Groton.

Congratulations to all of the Nonesuch nominees for the 68th Grammy Awards: Molly Tuttle for Best Americana Album for So Long Little Miss Sunshine and Best Americana Performance for the album track "That's Gonna Leave a Mark," Alarm Will Sound for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance for Donnacha Dennehy's Land of Winter, Donnacha Dennehy for Best Contemporary Classical Composition for Land of Winter, Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson for Best Folk Album for What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow, Ambrose Akinmusire for Best Alternative Jazz Album for honey from a winter stone, Brad Mehldau for Alternative Jazz Album for Ride into the Sun, and Bob Mehr for Best Album Notes for Wilco's A Ghost Is Born (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition).

Pianist and composer Brad Mehldau’s Ride into the Sun—a songbook record of music by the late singer, songwriter, and guitarist Elliott Smith—is out now. It features performances by singer/guitarist Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear, singer/mandolinist Chris Thile, bassists Felix Moseholm and John Davis, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and a chamber orchestra led by Dan Coleman. The album's ten Elliott Smith songs are complemented by four Mehldau compositions inspired by him and interpretations of Big Star’s “Thirteen,” which Smith also covered, and “Sunday” by Nick Drake, whom Mehldau sees "in some ways as sort of Smith’s visionary grandfather.” "A stunning collection," raves Uncut. “A magnificent new record, which beautifully reimagines songs by Elliott Smith," says Record Collector. "A potent example of Mehldau’s ability to transport the listener to another world."

Brad Mehldau made his late-night television debut on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night, performing "Colorbars," the latest track from his upcoming album of Elliott Smith music, Ride into the Sun, with singer/mandolinist Chris Thile, bassist Felix Moseholm, and drummer Matt Chamberlain. You can watch it here.

Brad Mehldau has released "Colorbars," featuring singer/mandolinist Chris Thile, the latest track from Ride into the Sun, his upcoming songbook record of music by the late singer, songwriter, and guitarist Elliott Smith. You can watch the video made during its recording, directed by Matthew Edginton, here. Mehldau performs on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with Thile, bassist Felix Moseholm, and drummer Matt Chamberlain on ABC tonight.

Brad Mehldau has released "Southern Belle," featuring singer/guitarist Daniel Rossen (Grizzly Bear), the latest track from Ride into the Sun, his upcoming songbook record of music by the late singer, songwriter, and guitarist Elliott Smith. You can watch the video made during its recording, directed by Matthew Edginton, here. Elliott Smith included the song on his 1995 self-titled album, released 30 years ago today.

Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, and Marcus Gilmore were at Chenery Auditorium in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for The Gilmore in April, performing songs by Mehldau, Cole Porter, Thelonious Monk, and more. You can now watch it here. Mehldau and McBride meet up again in October for a duo tour of the US and again next March for shows in Paris and Munich. Brad Mehldau’s new album of songs by Elliott Smith, Ride into the Sun, is out August 29.

Brad Mehldau has released “Between the Bars," a new track from his forthcoming album, Ride into the Sun—a songbook record of music by the late singer, songwriter, and guitarist Elliott Smith—due August 29 on Nonesuch. He's joined on the song by bassist Felix Moseholm and drummer Matt Chamberlain. You can watch a performance video, directed by Matthew Edginton, here. Also on the album are singer/guitarist Daniel Rossen (Grizzly Bear), singer/mandolinist Chris Thile, bassist/engineer John Davis, and a chamber orchestra led by Dan Coleman.

Brad Mehldau shares the story behind his upcoming album, Ride into the Sun—a songbook record of music by the late singer, songwriter, and guitarist Elliott Smith—and his relationship to Smith's music in a new video filmed at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, where the album was recorded. Singer/guitarist Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear, singer/mandolinist Chris Thile, and bassist John Davis, who perform on the album, share their thoughts as well. You can watch it here. The album, due August 29, also features bassist Felix Moseholm, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and a chamber orchestra led by Dan Coleman. 

Pianist and composer Brad Mehldau’s Ride into the Sun—a songbook record of music by the late singer, songwriter, and guitarist Elliott Smith—is due August 29 on Nonesuch. It features performances by singer/guitarist Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear, singer/mandolinist Chris Thile, bassists Felix Moseholm and John Davis, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and a chamber orchestra led by Dan Coleman. The album's ten Elliott Smith songs are complemented by four Mehldau compositions inspired by him and interpretations of Big Star’s “Thirteen,” which Smith also covered, and “Sunday” by Nick Drake, whom Mehldau sees "in some ways as sort of Smith’s visionary grandfather.” Two album tracks, “Tomorrow Tomorrow” and “Better Be Quiet Now,” are out now; in-studio videos of the musicians recording both songs can be seen here.

Congratulations to Darcy James Argue, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Ambrose Akinmusire, Mary Halvorson, and Brad Mehldau on their JJA Jazz Association's 2025 JJA Jazz Awards nominations: Argue for Composer of the Year and Arranger of the Year, which he won last year, and, with Secret Society, Large Ensemble of the Year; Salvant for Female Vocalist of the Year, which she won last year, and, with pianist Sullivan Fortner Duo of the Year; Akinmusire for Trumpeter of the Year, which he won last year; Halvorson for Guitarist of the Year, which she won last year; and Mehldau for Pianist of the Year.