Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
Flea Finds His Jazz Thing
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
Pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard will conduct a 17-city tour starting April 3 in promotion of the release of the trio’s Live disc.
The double-album was recorded live at New York’s Village Vanguard and consists of five Mehldau originals and interpretations ranging from composers Jimmy Heath and John Coltrane to Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Noel Gallagher of Oasis.
This album is the third Mehldau has recorded at the Vanguard. The previous two were 1998’s Live At The Village Vanguard, The Art Of The Trio Volume Two and 1999’s The Art Of The Trio Volume Four, Back At The Vanguard.
Tour dates include:
April 3: Nighttown, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
April 4: Michigan Theatre, Ann Arbor, Mich.
April 5: Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre, Toronto
April 6: Filene Hall - Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
April 7: Iron Hose, Northampton, Mass.
April 9–12: Jazz At The Bistro, St. Louis
April 13: Murry’s, Columbia, Mo.
April 24: Asylum Hill Congregational Church, Hartord, Conn.
April 25: Palais Montcalm, Quebec
April 26: Hopkins Center - Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H.
April 27: Annenburg Center - Zellerbach Theatre, Philadelphia
April 30: Barns At Wolftrap, Vienna, Va.
May 1: South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange, N.J.
May 2: Multi Form Theatre - Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich.
June 5: John G. Shedd Institute For The Arts, Eugene, Ore.
June 6: Herbst Theater, San Francisco
June 8: The El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
More info: bradmehldau.com
“Cerebral and academic thought is a different way to approach music,” Flea says of his continuing dive into jazz. “I’ve always relied on emotion and intuition and physicality.”
Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
Cécile McLorin Salvant busts out Jelly Roll Morton’s “The Murder Ballad” at Big Ears, here with pianist Sullivan Fortner.
Apr 7, 2026 1:21 PM
There’s pluralism, then there’s PLURALISM! — and then there’s Big Ears. Thurston Moore, who participated in…
Each of the 25 JAMs has delivered a poster featuring a jazz legend that is sent out to schools across the nation. This year’s poster features Tony Bennett.
Mar 30, 2026 10:20 PM
Every April for the past quarter century, something remarkable has happened across the United States and far beyond.…
“We thought it’s important that Ronin has a new statement,” said Nik Bärtsch of his band’s latest album, Spin. “The sound is differently produced, so it reflects more of who we are.”
Apr 21, 2026 10:00 AM
Nik Bärtsch cuts an imposing figure on stage. He’s unmistakable with his soul patch, shaven head and black attire.…
Bollani demonstrates at the piano during a live Blindfold Test in Umbria, Italy, while writer Ashley Kahn, right, and translator Greg Burk look on.
Mar 24, 2026 11:42 AM
Raconteur, bon vivant and popular television host Stefano Bollani is also one of Italy’s best-known pianists, a rare…