Brad Mehldau gave a special solo performance without an audience in Amsterdam's Concertgebouw as part of its Empty Concertgebouw Sessions. He performed five pieces from his new album, Suite: April 2020, followed by John Coltrane's "Satellite" and Van Heusen/Burke's "Here’s That Rainy Day." You can watch the session here.

Lianne La Havas's new, self-titled album has made the Best Albums of 2020 lists of the New York Times and NPR Music. Its songs are "brimming with poised musicality," writes the Times's Jon Pareles. "Graceful melodies, supple guitar syncopations, sophisticated harmonies and a voice that can sparkle with anticipation or cry out in pain capture all the hope and heartache of her narrative." NPR's Suraya Mohamed says: "The songs on this album, La Havas' third and perhaps best, reveal how her sophisticated artistry is made of not just brilliantly crafted lyrics, but a rich musicality, full with gorgeous harmonic voicings, catchy rhythms and soulful melodies."

Steve Reich's seminal 1974–76 work Music for 18 Musicians—the Nonesuch recording of which, performed by Steve Reich and Musicians, won a Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance—is among ten compositions chosen to inspire visual artists to create their own works for the inaugural Concord Art Prize. The prize, created by Concord Music Publishing, is open to all UK artists, with a prize of £10,000. "Over the years I have heard from several artists, including Gerhard Richter, saying they have used 18 Musicians while painting, sculpting or working with media," Reich says. "I am very excited to see what it may inspire."

The Magnetic Fields' new album, Quickies, is now available as a limited-edition 12” LP for Record Store Day's annual Black Friday event. This Record Store Day exclusive edition is available via independent record stores today on translucent magenta vinyl and includes the previously unreleased bonus track "The Witches Fly." Head to your favorite local independent record store's website to find out how to pick up yours and check for any COVID-related procedures.

Congratulations to all of the Nonesuch nominees for the 63rd Grammy Awards: David Byrne's American Utopia on Broadway for Best Musical Theater Album; Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade's RoundAgain for Best Jazz Instrumental Album and Redman for Best Improvised Jazz Solo on the track "Moe Honk"; Pat Metheny's "From This Place" for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals; and Dan Auerbach for Producer of the Year.