A meeting with the great American jazz pianist who has released a fine album of Beatles covers. Why this choice, what is Brad Mehldau’s relationship with the songs of the Fab Four, how does he approach his reinterpretation for solo piano and where does this passion for making one atypical record after another come from?

Brad Mehldau | Qobuz Interview

Qobuz

At the age of 52, Brad Mehldau’s discography is beginning to carry weight... Especially since the American pianist, considered one of the most brilliant of his generation, has dared to make some surprising albums over the last ten years. Records that are far removed from his usual solo or trio work. For example, we have an opus highlighting his passion for progressive rock (Jacob’s Ladder), a record with a chamber orchestra (Variations on a Melancholy Theme) or another devoted exclusively to the music of Bach (After Bach) and, on the menu today, a collection of Beatles covers!

He is certainly not the first jazzman to polish up the Fab Four’s repertoire, but attempting to play solo at a concert at the Philharmonie de Paris is like the umpteenth trial by fire for him. Brad Mehldau is obviously doing very well and his album Your Mother Should Know: Brad Mehldau Plays The Beatles, released on the Nonesuch label, is anything but anecdotal. It’s the ideal moment to talk to him about this new record, his numerous atypical projects, his approach to covers in general, his freelance work for his illustrious colleagues and his years of apprenticeship alongside the great Fred Hersch. Fascinating.

Listen more

Artists