“The music itself, I suppose, is the thing that will survive in my memory, happily.
~ Brad Mehldau.
In the world of jazz, every musician gets to decide whether they want to take the road less travelled or follow what other musicians have done in the past. But no matter what a musician chooses, no two pieces are ever the same, which is the beauty of this music genre. Brad Mehldau is one of the bold musicians who choose to conquer unchartered waters, which is why he has become such a huge inspiration to other musicians in his time.
What Makes Him Unique
“I’ve always just tried to be who I am and be honest in terms of what I play. If that reaches a larger group of people, great. If it doesn’t – if it remains obscure – that’s okay as well.
~ Brad Mehldau.
Brad is not only an incredible jazz pianist but also an innovative composer and arranger who brings out the best in any melody. His fans know him for his ability to combine elements of different genres and merge them with jazz, resulting in catchy yet innovative tunes. He is especially known for his integration of pop and rock music, which, as any jazz musician will tell you, takes creativity and talent to explore. But Brad Mehldau does not bid adieu to the classics in his quest for differentiation. No matter what he’s working on, you can tell that he’s paying an ode to classical influences such that his music still sounds like jazz but with a twist!
Genre diversity is just but one of the aspects that make Brad stand out. He also excels in playing different melodies in each hand, which has become one of his signature techniques – fans show up in huge numbers just to see this awe-inspiring simultaneous play. But it’s not just about putting on a show. Brad’s work conveys emotional depth such that his compositions and improvisations tug at people’s heartstrings, drawing them closer to the message. All his compositions stand out for their lyrical quality, which also boosts his standings.
As any jazz musician will tell you, having a wide set of skills is often the key to creating lasting melodies. And it’s clear that Brad took this advice to heart, seeing as he excels in traditional music formats and has also opened up to newer music formats. His work with artists like Renee Fleming and Pat Metheny is just but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his willingness to explore more than what’s the norm.
With such differentiation, it’s easy to see why Brad keeps grabbing awards and accolades and will continue to do so.
How it All Began – A Quick History Lesson
“The very fine line between loneliness and solitude, reflection; being alone, always appealed to me when I was a kid.””
~ Brad Mehldau.
Fans are always eager to learn more about their favorite stars and the factors that shaped their career choices. So, what’s the case for Brad? His story starts on 23rd August 1970 in Jackson, Florida. Brad and his sister, Leigh Anne, grew up in a loving and, as you may have guessed, musical family. While his dad was an ophthalmologist and his mum a homemaker, there was always a piano in the house. As such, Brad’s interest in classical music was at its peak from an early age. At age 10, he signed up for piano lessons, enabling him to take his keen interest to the next level. Brad also recalls his love for pop and rock music from an early age – he would spend a lot of time listening to the top hits on the radio. It’s easy to see why he finally merged the two later on in his career!
So, why jazz? Brad started his piano classes like any other child, eager to master this musical instrument. But over time, he felt that his calling was in jazz, and by age 14, he committed to playing jazz melodies, having been influenced by the works of:
- John Coltrane, a saxophonist, whose improvisation pushed Brad to try new ways of playing and composing. These effects are evident in Brad’s music.
- Oscar Peterson, a pianist whose exceptional rhythmic skills encouraged Brad to step away from the norm and try something new.
- Keith Jarret, a pianist whose “Bremen/ Laussane” album pushed Brad to realize how instrumental the piano was, not just in jazz but also in other compositions.
As such, these and other greats laid the groundwork for Brad to explore jazz in a different light, pushing him to play in the concert band while in high school. All this time, he had given his all to perfecting his skills such that he was also working on jazz solos and making recordings. He would spend time listening to them to better understand how he could make better improvisations.
Naturally, he moved on to The New School in New York, where he studied under amazing pianists like Kenny Werner and Junior Mance, who were also integral in his musical career. While at the school, he also got to perform with Joshua Redman’s quartet—and that was just the kind of experience he needed to give him the confidence to venture into the music world with his versatile playing formats.
But like we said, Brad had set out to be different. So, as much as he sought influence from classical composers, he was not afraid to merge his style with other genres, which enabled him to become an icon in a world where innovation is always welcome. Now, he’s setting the tone for other musicians who can borrow a leaf from his boldness and incorporate other styles to keep widening jazz’s borders.
Shaping the Future
It’s clear that Brad has put in a lot of work to get to where he is. So, what can other musicians learn from him? It is all about embracing different music styles and genres, staying true to Jazz traditions even with the goal of being different, investing in bettering your skills at every stage, finding your voice, creating music that conveys depth and meaning, and working with other artists. That’s when you get to the top and can share your unique take on music with others. As Brad once put it:
“I’m happy to have the opportunity to record the records I want to – I’m very aware that that’s a privilege.”