World renowned pianist Brad Mehldau expands the language between genres with an homage to the late indie folk artist Elliott Smith, whose music inspired a generation of songwriters, joined by Chris Thile (mandolin / vocal), Blake Mills (guitar / vocal), Matt Chamberlain (drums), and John Davis (bass). This lauded band is backed by the 17-piece USC Thornton Chamber Virtuosi on Mehldau’s rich cinematic arrangements.
An unsurpassed connoisseur of exquisite melodies, Mehldau has ranged widely across the musical landscape in search of alluring songs. For this exclusive Bay Area engagement, he presents the song cycle from his most recent album, Ride Into the Sun (Nonesuch), an intoxicating, orchestral love letter to Elliott Smith.
In crafting this sojourn into Smith’s emotionally revelatory songbook Mehldau created an intimate conversation with the tormented genius, interspersing four original compositions inspired by him, as well as an interpretation of Big Star’s “Thirteen” (which Smith also covered) and “Sunday” by Nick Drake, whom Mehldau sees “as sort of Smith’s visionary godfather.” The pianist is joined by some of the same brilliant artists he featured on the album, including vocalist and mandolin maestro Chris Thile and drummer Matt Chamberlain, as well as Folk Implosion vocalist and guitarist John Davis and singer/songwriter Blake Mills, who’s recorded and performed with Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. The album’s producer, Dan Coleman, conducts the USC Thornton Chamber Virtuosi orchestra, providing sumptuous support for one of the most influential and intensely lyrical pianists in jazz.
