Brad Mehldau: The Greatest Jazz Pianist of Our Generation

Brad Mehldau stands as a beacon of innovation in the jazz world, intertwining the richness of classical music with the spontaneity of jazz to create a sound uniquely his own. With a career spanning over three decades, Mehldau has carved out a niche for himself not just as a pianist of exceptional skill and depth, but also as a composer who likes to explore and blend genres. His ability to traverse musical landscapes-from the works of Bach to the songs of Radiohead-has not only garnered him critical acclaim but also a dedicated following. In this interview, we delve into Brad’s creative process, his approach to blending different musical traditions, and his thoughts on the evolution of jazz. Needless to say I’m a huge fan of Brad‘s music.
My Beato Club supporters:
Justin Scott
Terence Mark
Farren Mahjoor
Jason Murray
Lucienne Kilpatrick
Alexander Young
Jason Wagner
Todd Ladner
Rob Kline
Nicholas Long
Tim Benson
Leonardo Martins da Costa Rodrigues
Eddie Perez
David Solomon
MICHAEL JOYCE
Stephen Stubbs
colin stead
Jonathan Wentworth-Linton
Patrick Payne
MATTHEW KARIS
Matthew Barouch
Shaun Samuels
Danny Kurywchak
Gregory Reedy
Sean Coleman
Alexander Verbitskiy
CL Turner
Jason Pappafotis
John Fulford
Margaret Carno
Robert C
David M Combs
Eric Flatt
Reto Spoerli
Herr Moritz Adam
Monte St. Johns
Jon Beezley
Peter DeVault
Eric Nabstedt
Eric Beggs
Rich Germano
Brian Bloom
Peter Pillitteri

[@cfibanez]

Everyone in the comments have said this, but I just have to say it again. The level of this interview is mind-blowing. In a world in which every media person trivializes everything, out of sheer ignorance of course, to see this in YT gives one hope for the future of humanity. Wow, thank you!

[@RickBeato]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@denniskielton2447]

KZbin is where the knowledge is nowadays. On TV & the radio (or anything controlled by mass media, the very people Rick calls out on this channel because he worked side by side with them in the 90's) all you'll find is sensationalism. Even car commercials hardly say anything about the product anymore, they sell a feeling not sell a car. (Look at car ad's & posters from the 50's-70's if you don't believe me, they list things about the engine that nowadays nobody understands except a mechanic.) The mainstream has been wayyyyyyyyyyyyy dumbed down. But fortunately, with platforms like KZbin, the people who actually deserve to be heard are getting a chance to be heard and in rare cases, becoming pretty well-known over it. And on here, what gets you well known is connecting with people, it's as close to a true majority rule on media as it gets in this age. And guess what? Channels like this one, Veritasium, Smarter Every Day, 12 tone music, and Adam Neely's channel are all literally the biggest channels on here, and they're all heavy into deep music theory and stories/views on the music industry and music education industry you could NEVER see anywhere else. A lot of their subscribers aren't even musicians. Veritasium & Smarter Every Day are two of the best modern science shows I've seen, period. Check them out, you'lll have even more hope. Because the whole reason these channels are popular, is because people are requesting them and watching them. There ARE smart people out there ha ha

[@slotrane8853]

I know. Rick is great because he just talks music. He is a music lover and we can relate

[@quicklicks5963]

​@@denniskielton2447awesome I will check out those science ones

[@ChipTingle]

So well said and echoed!!!

[@tevangoldberg]

Every time Brad tries to make a point by playing something on the piano and plays the most beautiful music you've ever heard for 3.5 seconds...

[@PawelLeszczynskipav]

I know I just kept waiting for him to touch the piano. It's as if he turns the switch...... lush

[@markfretless]

@@PawelLeszczynskipav Yes! Even the way he lifts his hands to play each passage...The body language seems to always be as fluid and as graceful as his playing...

[@coledavismusic]

Literally

[@matthewweyant4778]

You just leave this interview smarter and better as a person. As a public school Band teacher, I so appreciate Mr. Mehldau's explanation of how he approaches "practice", and his desire to become better as a person through it. He also has the most relaxing, inviting voice I've ever heard, lol! He somehow is able to come across as incredibly intelligent, without being pretentious, because making and discussing music doesn't seem to be about his ego.

[@Loppree]

How refreshing it is to listen to a deep conversation between two wise people! It gives me hope that the world can be a good place to live.

[@amziadi]

Rick Beato continues to leave us as a legacy for posterity what by now is an encyclopedia of interviews of the best musicians of our time. We all should be grateful for this man.

[@sandygoodall123]

...and we are!!

[@MartinVejarano]

Grateful for YT as well, I know Rick is!

[@StarlynMunson]

Hear hear 🎉🎉🎉

[@shamielsoeker9374]

Agree !

[@christophervaughan2637]

Some of the best musicians: there are great musicians in every part of the world

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

Is anyone else just about as impressed with Brad Mehldau's facility with the English language as with his prodigious artistry on the piano keys? I've taught Language Arts for years and his mastery/precision of verbal expression is off the charts! Just wonderful to listen to.

[@equiknox14]

Totally agree. I too noticed his expressive verbal capacity, not to mention his modesty.

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

@@equiknox14 Yes, the modesty. Nothing better than greatness mixed with humility.

[@suremate]

Being used to him trying to speak in French in his concerts (appreciate the effort!), it’s nice to hear him express himself so eloquently.

[@youmothershouldknow4905]

Not only do we hear facility with language (and, of course, music), Brad really cares about clearly stating his thoughts, thoughts involving a lot of abstraction that isn’t always easy to talk about. There’s kind of a communications ethic involved in Brad’s efforts to both communicate musically and verbally.

[@observethemfdynamic]

We had a writing professor in college who used some of his liner notes from “places” as examples in an essay course

[@vKarl71]

This is my favorite Rick Beato video EVER ! Two extremely talented, knowledgeable, experienced, & articulate musicians talking about what they care so deeply about.

[@riehle.j8561]

How did I just go from having no idea Brad Mehldau was, to him being my favorite Artist & feeling in love with the piano; ... mixed, poured & set an hour and 1/2 later by Rick? Aetheric.

[@rickthaler]

Brad was my neighbor growing up (elk dr. bedford, nh). he was astounding as a 4 year old. His dad was my eye doctor. Mel Sibulkin was my teacher as well.wonderful to see his success. congradulations from the Thalers!

[@davidfleuchaus]

Tell us more! “Astounding as a 4 year old”??

[@Funkybassplayer]

@@davidfleuchausyes please 🙏🏻

[@jeffgough]

Wait wait wait…Brad was MY neighbor growing up. And it was in Maryland, not New Hampshire! I remember his dad (the local dentist) and how Brad refused to play stand up or grand piano; he was exclusive to the keytar. Edgar Winter gave him Zoom lessons on keytar simultaneously to me getting sax lessons.

[@rjpimprov]

Wild. I was 30 seconds away on regency drive. Didn’t know he lived there.

[@rickthaler]

he moved from bedford, nh to ct. he evan mentions living in bedford and taking lessons from mr sibulkin (mel) in the interview... if you think iot is the same, name parents and siblings@@jeffgough

[@AndalusianIrish]

Wow! Rick keeps knocking it out of the park with the people he's interviewing.

[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

Too long right now; I'll soon revisit.

[@m.i.c.g2246]

Man, as soon as he locked up Sting, Metheny and Sco, i thought that he had the key to all the doors

except Kirk Hammet... that was futile... :)

[@m.i.c.g2246]

@ I mean for all the shade Lars and Kirk get, they still are part of one the hugest acts of the last 40 years. Kirk knows a thing or two. They just don’t include a metronome.

[@BionicTooth]

Great show!!! Brad has taken up Keith’s mantle as jazz music’s most transportive, astounding and playful instrumentalist/improviser. Kudos to Beato for his impact on the medium by presenting long form, in depth dialogues with these icons of our times!

[@brucewhitcomb8700]

This is the greatest conversation about musical elements and style that I've ever heard. At age 71 I can only wish that I could have been influenced by all the elements of this conversation when younger. I am a musician and continue to play gigs and work on concepts when I get up every morning. This conversation is a gift in that you have two people totally in tune with everything brought up in "casual conversation". Also- I learned way more about Brad that I never knew- and how he has intellectualized all of his influences and current improvisational tendencies. This is a five star musical conversation on anyone's level. Rick- your contribution to the world of music is immeasurable. I'm truly in awe of the depths of this conversation. I can't thank either of you enough for the inspiration you both have given me today. I will undoubtedly come back to this interview several times. Thank you- both! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@aaronmellinger]

Amen.

[@jowi5720]

watched it all - understood only half of it - enjoyed it twice as much. this interview is an ode to music

[@littleole23]

Good way of putting it! 👍

[@Feltronc]

We need someone to make a channel “What Makes This Interview Great”, because Rick is the best music interviewer of all time. As masterful as these artists are, and they *are* masterful, it’s the flow of the conversation that Rick provides that takes this to a whole another level. Seriously.

[@RickBeato]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@jimbeveridge5185]

Be great if a broadcast channel could pick them up . Over here in the UK, BBC 2 or Chanel 4 . Luv KZbin , broadcast would resonate with an older demographic?

[@davidjohnson1654]

And I think, as part of what you're saying, that Rick asks the musicians things that they wish someone would ask them, that they're waiting for someone to ask. You can sense that they light up when Rick asks them some detailed, insightful question about a nuance of what they played in a certain spot in their music. It's like they're thinking, "Wow, you noticed, and you correctly named what I did! YES!" ... I listen to Rick's interviews while I'm at work; in more ways than one, it's literally music to my ears. ;) Yes, pun intended... don't y'all roll your eyes at me. ;)

[@MattFicarra]

I think part of the chemistry is that musicians come into the interview with a certain amount of knowledge and respect for Rick as a teacher, musician and fan. This allows them to open up and relax and the interview comes across as two friends talking about great music.

[@Feltronc]

@@MattFicarra Most certainly!

[@johnzoccomusic]

Rick’s depth is staggering. Whether it’s rock, metal, blues or jazz, his knowledge of the genre and the catalog is unreal. I don’t think there is anyone else who could pull off these interviews.

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

Add classical.

[@popoff7808]

I hope he branches out more into country and hip-hop and even pop and more niche genre out of his wheel house.

[@TaylorG0014]

10 minutes in and I feel like I’ve received substantial revelation. Such generosity from Brad in this interview. Can’t tell you how grateful I am for your work, Rick. I’ve seen Brad several times in Seattle (mostly in my teens) and he has always humored me by answering questions and chatting with me. Very kind man. Brilliant improviser.

[@hugoantunesmusic]

This was cool! Thank you both! I drove Brad on a solo tour, and he was always listening to music on his computer. Once before a concert he asked me to play something that I was listening in the car while he was not there (I always kept the system switched off while he was riding). I've played something that was in the cd player and he asked me to play it again. Later, on one of the encores, he played that song. True story. He called me sir all the time. Probably didn't know my name...

[@phish1]

Cool story. Do you remember what the song was?

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

This became a masterclass immediately. I only recently got my first Brad Mehldau album. His way of talking is so warm as he's demonstrating his concepts. This feels so classic, like some old music show from 1980s PBS.

[@vaneast411]

you are lucky as you have a lot to enjoy exploring in his music 👍

[@alans3845]

Rick… this was one of the deepest and most inspiring interviews you have ever done. As a guitarist who has an MFA in Jazz I so appreciate you allowing Brad to share such incredible insights connecting composers from Bach to Radiohead. So grateful to you for making interviews like this happen. ❤️🎸💪🏻

[@anteus64]

I just wrote a FB post saying that we have many supertalented musicians in Hungary (even if few of them reached global recognition) but simply nobody is capable to make an interview with them on this level...which is a great miss. This was terrific, I greatly enjoyed every minute of it.

[@nadimbakhshov5992]

Fantastic conversation - I'd love to hear you interview Bill Frisell

[@robertwood2490]

Yes, Bill's the obvious next choice. Bill Frisell, please?

[@Emadenigrisbravuomo]

Yes!!

[@tedandersen977]

please -- and with his guitar in hand! (and effects pedals!)

[@jonathanfogelman4978]

@@robertwood2490 I agree ! Let's hope Rick see's these comments.

[@robinpowers3602]

Scofield too would be very fun and illuminating.

[@antoniog2854]

if there is one Rick interview that I'd wish had a Part 2, it would be this one! I didn't want it to end! My favorite pianist!!!

[@EnriqueRamosCurd]

Greats interviews. From Keith Jarrett to Brad Mehldau. Big educator, Rick Beato indicates the road to understand the great music of our time. Grande maestro. With much admiration and respect from Chile 🇨🇱

[@TinusTegenlicht]

Indeed, now I would like to hear an interview with Andy Timmons.

[@fortunyrodrigo.]

grande!!

[@Itsabikepackingworld]

Wow. Who else was smiling ear to ear and mesmerized 🙌❤️

[@richardbloemenkamp8532]

Rick himself and still he had the perfect questions. 😃

[@deno77joe]

His style is definitely a result of studying classical music. Playing piano is like playing all orchestral instruments at the same time between 2 hands, 10 fingers, SATB, then applying it to any song, any style. So cool. What a foundation! Thank You for an inspiring interview.

[@TeachingJazz]

Fascinating and wonderful interview, just great. Brad Mehldau is so articuate - as a player and as a speaker.

[@heartpath1]

Brad is a monster musician, much more than a jazz pianist. Rick is arguably the greatest music interviewer ever…I seriously can’t think of anyone else who can get into the technical with such depth while keeping it accessible. He manages to have a conversation while giving the guest so much freedom to speak. I really treasure this channel. Thank you Rick!

[@lucianfick2218]

I can only think of one interviewer who comes close to approximating Rick's level of engagement as an interviewer and that would be Marion McPartland- although her focus was strictly jazz. .

[@heartpath1]

@@lucianfick2218 I love her interviews! I used to listen to them on WRTI in Philly late night on my way home from gigs. Great stuff!

[@RossCampoli]

Brad’s playing is stunning and virtuosic. I’m lucky enough to have seen him live twice and would jump at the next chance I have to see him again

[@gitarmats]

These types of interviews are what musicians really want to see. Long and in depth. It's a gift to get such insight from these amazing musicians.

[@DavidMarshall32]

Masterful: This is Rick's best interview -- Beato is the best interviewer. It myself be said that Brad is an exceptional interviewee: Open, Honest and egoless. He knowledge of, performance and exposition of music and how he relates all form music is incredible.

[@tonydog4456]

Mehldau’s touch is out of this world. It allows him to really bring out the emotion of the tune, whether it’s the Beatles or Bach. And his recall of players and songs is astonishing. I bet he had not thought of McCoy’s “Passion Dance” in years but Rick mentioned it and he spit it out like he practiced right before the interview. Insane. My only quibble is that he doesn’t hear the subtlety in Bonham’s playing. He could be bombastic when it was called for, but he also played dynamically and simply. I honestly hear so many similarities between Elvin and Bonham. Brilliant interview, Rick. You are killing it. These musicians are so special to us mortals and they truly enjoy opening up and having a conversation with you. Thank you so much.

[@teddykingsbury3742]

I think he has a point about the "wideness" of the quarter note or the tripolet of elvins drums

[@JochenVogel]

I'm only 10 minutes in and already totally in awe. What a wonderful musician!

[@jonasc1221]

His rendition of Blackbird is in my top five musical pieces of all time. It it so incredibly good, I can't describe it with words. And then he talks about it within the first five minutes!! So good.

[@gdkemble]

I am embarrassed to admit I'd never heard of Brad. This is one of my favorite interviews of all (so far). I have a lot to listen to now!

[@valebliz]

He’s an otherworldly player, really

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

No need to be embarrassed! Just be grateful that you now know about him 🎶🎹

[@johanponin8680]

enjoy the discovery, the trip is gonna be long and crazy

[@cs692]

Brad Mehldau is my favorite musician, and I am so excited for you that you have found him!! Enjoy!!

[@nimitng5922]

I’m a guitarist and my favorite pianist is Brad Mehldau… I feel so inspired knowing that he takes some ideas from the guitar fretboard and open strings!

[@rosswhitaker9305]

In his recently published book, he cites Wes Montgomery as not only a big influence but, according to him, his recordings are full of quotes from Wes solos.

[@nimitng5922]

@@rosswhitaker9305 thank you so much for the suggestion! I will definitely buy it

[@Rockettman]

Brad's version of Elliot Smith's "Independence Day" with Chris Thile nearly moves me to tears every time I listen to it, and I could listen to it on repeat. Probably my favorite cover of all time.

[@sopranohannah]

With this and his interview with Belà Fleck. I’d love for him to interview Chris.

[@Dozta]

Please Interview John Williams! I’m so interested in his early KILLIN Jazz piano years and how he ended up scoring all those movies.

[@joshuacrispin2840]

We definitely need this

[@adamgray8009]

13:27 Once again Rick picking the giants to interview. Mehldau, in my humble opinion, is the single greatest, and most influential, pianist of our time. I think he's what Bill Evans would be listening to, if he were alive today. Here's my ameteurish take on Mehldau: His ability to dissect and recreate melodies and harmonies of classic songs is just amazing. And then become so dissonant (and anti melodic in a way) and somewhat intentionally clunky, if you, at times is such an incredible contrast to do his incredibly fluid and beautiful re-interpretation of the melodies. Tension and release, constantly. And subtle changes in timing, especially solo, but also with his trios. These among many, many other things I adore about his playing. It was so nice to hear him verbally express what he thinks and intends while playing. What a gift! Thank you Rick!!!

[@mrreemann3739]

I couldn't agree more. Well said❤

[@steely_vine]

Yes he is. I saw him play solo a few months ago in a lost Paris suburb concert hall. It was stunning.

[@misteurpierre7214]

If was a music teacher, I'd get all my students to listen to this. Talk about openness! Thank you both!

[@lbamusic]

Another monster interview with a monster musician/pianist!! Starting at age 4, Ive been playing everything from Classical piano, Sacred Choral music, Classical pipe organ, Black Gospel and Jazz. Now in my 83rd year, im still learning and hungry for more, like this musical feast. There are so many ways to view music, from an intellectuall assesment of modes, chords etc, as Brad and Rick can do, to the 'sound' only method used by monsters like Erroll Garner and Monty Alexander, who didn't read but knew as much Music using perfect pitch and other God-given abilities, to be among the best players. Im somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, I know barely enough music theory to follow along with Brad and Rick as they talked, but im able to remember and play an awesome amount of chords and progressions strictly by the sounds, without regard to whether they conform to the tenets of music theory, as long as they work. And yes, hes so right about the open string tones on the guitar - to my ears they make the best piano keys to play in, and the richest sounding chords. Thank you again for such an outstanding interview!!

[@ibassnote]

I met Brad in 1991. He came to New Orleans to visit a friend of mine and the three of us hung out drinking re-heated coffee arguing about the validity of studying Jelly Roll Morton in the early 1990’s. Brad was having none of it. My friend forewarned me that this guy was going to be a very famous jazz pianist. They argued and I mostly listened. He has clearly grown enormously over the decades. So many insights here. I love how much he loves Radiohead.

[@williamsmith9561]

Congratulations, Rick, on a masterclass in music interviewing. I've never seen anyone who can make musicians happy to be there like you do. Musicians are usually looking at the door from the off, but they always enjoy their time with you and open up about the music.

[@RickBeato]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@QuincyJamesMusic]

One of my heroes, and I'm a guitar player. I find it so very interesting that Brad is wanting to represent guitar instrumentation within his body of work as a pianist, when I've been trying to do the opposite for so long on the guitar, truly prodigious. Thank you so much for sharing this Rick 🙏🏽

[@lorincohen3020]

He’s mastered the piano language so it seems like the guitar thing is a new challenge

[@Chipshotz]

Over an hour and 20 minutes and never a dull moment. Rick is the best.

[@Angus.Maclean]

Like Rick's other interviews, it's like I snuck in and hid while these two immensely knowledgeable musical geniuses sat at the piano for a chat, conversing with ease while exploring the most ingenious musical ideas. I don't want to move or hardly breathe for fear of interrupting this extraordinarily wonderful opportunity to listen and learn, to understand music in a way I could never do on my own. Thank you for these amazing interviews that exist nowhere else and thank you for being our teacher.

[@phildupuis1084]

Loved this. As a pianist Brad Meldau has been a hero of mine and it is special to hear him talk about the secrets behind his magical playing.

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

What Brad says at 37:00 is so true. I play mainly classical piano, but (inspired by Rick) it has been a revelation to revisit my repertoire from a more jazz-like perspective, i.e. thinking more of the structure of the composition and the nature of the chords and harmonies rather than the specific notes--which I am sure is how the players of Mozart's day conceived it, which is why they were such great improvisers. The result is that I have found it so much easier to achieve the state Brad describes: the "intellectual component" is taking place in that "other tier" such that I can almost be an observer of my own playing. You can only imagine how much more expressively you can play when you are freed up to really listen to yourself.

[@KeithRowley]

This part of the interview really astounded me, too. The way music feels to me when I'm inside it, no barrier between me and it, like when dancing or singing or playing with other people. The flow.

[@jfo3000]

​@KeithRowley That was the most important topic of the interview to me as well. Topped off with the "and that's where I find God" that just slipped by. That could have been a major discussion. Those of us that are "addicted" to improvising...maybe we are with God at that point...and don't want to leave?

[@michaelkoehler7861]

I am deeply grateful that you did that interview. I am as enchanted with his music as you are and it was wonderful to hear his insights and stories.

[@markshveima]

Just utterly fantastic. One of the best interviews ever. Especially Rick's "Brad, you're killing me that you don't play a little bit more there, because that was absolutely beautiful." Always love Rick's completely unhindered enthusiastic admiration. I think he is often speaking for many of us.

[@russianthroughpropaganda7845]

I saw Brad just a couple of weeks ago in Princeton. I greatly enjoyed his new compositions (Fourteen Reveries)... but his cover of Golden Slumbers was just a show-stopper. Really unbelievable. Anyone who has a chance to catch him in concert should definitely treat themselves. Many thanks Rick, you're the best!

[@cooldebt]

I missed Brad and Joshua Redman when they were last in Sydney and I'm dying for them to come back

[@carleolson]

Fantastic! Been a Mehldau fan ever since his debut album of almost 30 years ago. Saw his trio in concert twice; both shows (in Eugene, Oregon) were stunning. And his liner notes, to all his albums, are educational and fascinating. My sister, then in her early 20s, saw him give a solo concert in Canada sometime around 2000. After the concert, she hung around and waited to see if he would sign a CD. He came out and talked to her for an hour, asking her about her music, education, goals, etc. She said he was incredibly thoughtful and encouraging. A humble musical giant. Made her (and me) a fan for life!

[@walternyc]

Same here. I went to see him in an intimate show in New York a couple of years ago where he was playing piano accompaniment for his wife. I told him that I've been a fan of him forever. He agree to take a picture with me and my wife, and we have a little chat.

[@docnelson2008]

What a pleasure to watch a music interview of this high standard; I'm a massive fan of both of these guys. Rick's channel is always a delight to visit-thank you Rick.

[@geogi_bodies]

This great interview along with many others by Rick deserve a place in Library of Congress.🙏🏻

[@peterdvideos]

I just checked Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” after Rick Beato hummed it and the pitch/key was exactly as Rick hummed it!

[@RickBeato]

I see some people are really paying attention :)

[@koho]

My god - his reprise of the apex of jazz from Coltrane w Tyner to Shorter to Miles/Adderly. And Mehldau brings it to life, live, on cue. Led Zeppelin/Bonham vs. Elvin Jones - no one else gets this!! This is unbelievable. This should be a 10 part series.

[@braedonavants]

This interview is amazing! I love how "slowly but surely" Brad speaks. It feels like he has a great connection between his inner and outer language processing.

[@biggerlonely7242]

His playing literally brought me to tears. I am SO GLAD you reminded us to watch this video. Thank you.

[@JamieByrne1977]

Amazing!! Heard him for the first time on a pirate radio station in Ireland in 1998 playing Moon River from Art of the Trio Volume 2. The way he ends the song is so beautiful and transcendental, it inspired me in my own music compositions and opened the door for me into Jazz harmonies. These interviews are phenomenal, Rick.

[@bradleylampo2535]

One of the most in depth and technically intricate yet easy to follow interviews, I must say Rick, just like Dick Cavett interviewing Oscar Peterson. Really wonderful interview Rick, one for the ages. 💜💜💜

[@KeithRowley]

I thought of Dick Cavett interviewing Oscar Peterson, too... Rick was having a great time, and I think Mehldau was, too, but he's so calm and Buddha-like it's kinda hard to tell...

[@jacobgibson5357]

Well done. The patience of conversation and depth of knowledge is just refreshing and purely enjoyable.

[@VivianLund]

A pianist’s homage to the guitar. Just beautiful, heaven.

[@davidkrupp8329]

This may be your best interview Rick. The amount of musical ground covered is absolutely staggering. Also, Brad expresses his musical ideas with the aptitude we are used to hearing in his playing. Very insightful.

[@WarhawkBeyond2040]

If there was any pianist that I would consider to be the successor of Keith Jarrett, it would be Brad Mehldau. In my opinion, he is the most important voice for the piano in the modern era. What a fantastic coup to get one of the best musicians in the world, brilliant interview. Keep up the good work 👏

[@JarrettMehldau]

I'm with you. I feel Fred Hersch deserves a shoutout too particularly when playing ballads in a solo setting Fred reaches similar heights to Keith and Brad imo.

[@lp1926.guitars]

@@JarrettMehldau I mean you could have said "look at my name" :) Anyway, I also agree!

[@joseluishernandezseptien]

This is an incredibly valuable interview/masterclass, amazing indeed. Thank You!!!

[@dreamdeeplyrelaxingexpansi9103]

Like so many comments …this interview is the greatest I have watched…the combination of these 2 giants …Brad has and is redefining the language of Western Music…when it seemed we have run its length and breadth …with utter simplicity of triads and a seemless boundary of harmonic freedom to superimpose 2nds 4ths and whatever suits the ear and heart in a gentle easy to follow genius manner ….Thank you both of you for a couple of hours of bliss…

[@joshualeigh]

I've been lucky enough to see Brad live a few times and I've never been as spellbound and immersed by a live performance as at his concerts. This interview is everything I could want from a Rick video...the chance to hear Brad unpack his thinking, and the level of consideration that sits behind his musical choices is just a joy.

[@TinyMaths]

First heard Mehldau on a live take of I'll Be Seeing You, around 2000, on the Jazz FM radio station in London, when they still had 'dinner Jazz' on weekday evenings, with lots of gorgeous solo, duo, trio and quartet tunes; ballads mainly. That live take wrecked my brain, particularly Brad's solo. Whoever this guy was, to me, he was nuts; those crazy note choices were something I hadn't really heard before; I first awoke to jazz in 93. Been a fan of Brad ever since that happenstance find back in 2000. Fell off my chair the other day when Rick said he was having Brad on. What a treat to see the magician demonstrate the ins and outs of his mind-bending music!

[@FeronniTV]

The later solos in that version by Brad are mind blowing!

[@Mekinhumbel]

These interviews are so great--thanks to Rick and whoever else is responsible for these (his patrons/etc. who are contributing to making these happen). I was a conservatory student in the early 90's, and these interviews bring back serious seminar/master class vibes and really get my creative juices flowing. This is serious nutrition for the musical creatives, professional, amateur, and otherwise. Really grateful for these, and each one better than the last. Bravo!

[@AndyAction]

So great to see my college friend Brad (New School for Jazz/Contemporary Music, NYC) ascending to such spectacular heights! Thanks Rick and love you Brad!

[@julianmarantika]

This is a masterclass, rather than interview😳 and it is free. Thank you @rickbeato🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@kaleydowood5746]

Adding one eulogistic commentary to the numerous others this video shall have (after Jarret's, Metheny's, etc): It's more than a masterpiece, it reaches pieces of the transcendance we feel when hearing Mehldau's, or Jarret's music. And it gives me fragments of understanding about "why" I came to their music, "why" it struck me. About "how" I found a continuation of the rock music I was listening to, being a teenager, in Jaco Pastorius, and then in Pat Metheny, and then in Keith Jarret, and so on. I had to listen again to "Paranoid Android" Live in Tokyo after that, and made to myself a rare observation : knowing how the music is "built", or "thought", just adds to it. It increases the pleasure, rather than removing any magic...

[@showingpig01]

Mehldau is one of my favs. Thanks for this interview! Favorite Brad Mehldau quote is on improv - “first you need to know everything, then you need to forget everything”

[@HalethDagore]

Thank you, Rick for making this happen and thank you Brad for all the creative output.

[@samjhylton]

I feel like I have waited for this interview ever since I discovered Brad early in high school. These are many of the questions I have thought to annoy Brad with at the off chance I’d see him live, but that’s never the right time or place to even begin such a discussion. Thank you so much, Rick, for making accessible such a special, valuable conversation with this undeniable master.

[@wonderfalls2]

Thank you Rick for this interview and for nudging him to play a bit more haha. I saw him in Toronto last week and he was incredible. He did like 5 encores and played everything from Jimi Hendrix to The Beatles.

[@myke2k2]

I went to college with Brad and we were in the big band together under Charles Tolliver. He was always a sweet cat, in spite of him being a creative monster! So glad to see him interviewed by Rick! (That’s now two of my college classmates you’ve had, including Kurt Rosenwinkel). Rick - you really should try to get Jon Brion, who Brad mentions, on the channel. He has an amazing story and is otherworldly talented. Thanks for everything you do!

[@OS-yg9fr]

well i kissed him ((how he paid for the drugs)) so i win. im a guy btw.

[@mvm3016]

Absolutely one of my favorite Rick Beato interviews. Always such great questions - i’ve always been a Brad Mehldau fan and I’m happy to hear about his rock and roll origins!

[@keykiyox]

I am so impressed by Brad Mehldau’s way of talking that I would listen to this conversation with Rick Beato over and over again. It sounds so natural and convincing and so full of joy and respect to music itself. Thank you Rick and Brad, this is one heaven to listen to.

[@curtc6563]

Brad is my all time favorite pianist. I saw him live years ago in Shanghai with Joshua Redman. The piano that day is shamefully faulty but he made that hour amazing as always. I used to listen to that collab album over and over again, and cry out loud listening to Old West. This is a dream-come-true interview for me because finally Brad could talk so much into his musicality, techniques and specific inspirations with Rick as an knowing and understanding interviewer. The guitar open tuning explains a whole lot about his "timbre" and The Garden together with every tune in Finding Gabriel is like rain and fog fusing the world into it. Thank you so much, Rick.

[@GildaFiermonte]

I was listening first in a light way while doing some housekeeping things we have to do after work when we are away at the office all day long. And I had to stop what I was doing so as to listen with 100 % attention. For a while I thought I was someone who understands things in music. Rick Beato, you've got the power to make great people explain their art in a way anybody can understand and enjoy ! Thank you so much.

[@williamstachour4019]

So much brilliance all round. The playing, the musical mind, the interview-asking informed, understanding questions is such a skill. Rick knows how to get to the good stuff. Bravo.

[@TheGabriel959]

Thank you both for sharing this. Rick, for the platform, for the insightful questions, for the knowledge. And Brad, for the artistry, for the imagination, for the beautiful music. Thank you!

[@ssrohan9]

Finally! Was waiting for an in-depth interview with him. Mehldau is a true legend.

[@darrengagliardi1540]

That was simply the best interview of this sort that I have ever heard. I’m so sad it had to come to an end.

[@ChipTingle]

So much here, musically and personally. Rick, I love how you bring chuckles and smiles out of Brad, loose and comfortable. You’re both rare, gifted people having fun! 🙏🙌

[@adoxographer]

An absolutely beautiful interview. Thank you.

[@GreenArrowNetwork]

Who ever thought it would be this interesting to watch two musicians listen to music and then to discuss. I love these interviews.

[@dansickles8983]

Thanks for this Rick. I was at Brad's solo performance last night in Santa Cruz. The depth of his harmonic and rhythmic resources puts him among the greatest musicians ever. He closed with Hey Joe which was stunning.

[@Steveyneo]

Love this video! Pure joy in just listening to Brad play and talk.

[@mafay28]

Beautiful interview! Brad is such a great artist! Glad to see this! Congrats, Rick! Thank you!

[@robertklein6693]

Hey Rick, more than any of your other videos that I've watched, and I've watched many, you looked and acted like a kid in a candy store -- eyes agape, amazed by Brad's on-the-spot improvization and matter-of-fact technical, intellectual explanations. Requesting encore after encore of Brad's demonstrations. You couldn't get enough! Just simple, pure wonderment at Brad's creative genius and incredible talent that you were witnessing. There's a reason why all of the top artists want to be interviewed by you. You are a musician's musician!

[@tmarkrogers]

Where was KZbin when I needed it most 60+ years ago! I'm thankful that I still love learning. What wonderful content. Thank you both for your time and expertise. 👏👏👏😊

[@Sizeofanocean007]

Interview of the year! I watched and savoured it in little pieces

[@ScottWoolsey-wo1bh]

Mind blown. Brad's mastery of his instrument is otherworldly. His blurring of musical genres is so refreshing. Wow.

[@trainretail]

OMG!!!!! Rick you just keep getting better and better! Brad Mehldau is awesome. Thanks for getting some keyboard guys in here.

[@Convisis]

Been a lifelong fan since 99, my son’s middle name is Mehldau. Thanks for the beautiful music, Brad.

[@apolloguitars]

One of the best interviews I can remember. Fantastic conversation.

[@muckeelton]

Just a lovely interview. Rick's depth of understanding and empathy is astounding. Brad is so rich with ideas and inspiration it's hypnotic. I can't thank you enough Rick for making this such a profound experience. We all owe you big time. ❤🎵

[@eddyjuillerat835]

"Hey Joe" around 35:00 is stunning beyond belief. Rick is making me discover musicians like no other. Thanks man.

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Thank you Rick & Brad for sharing your insight and wisdom throughout this interview. Rick - it's so clear how much you love music...beautiful to see. Nice that here you get to fully live the Dick Cavett position next to the piano. Gratefully - John

[@ThePianoenergy]

What a great artist! Thank you for this interview.

[@gusbook]

Amazing. The influence from guitar and then using the piano to stack dense voicings together is such a vibe. Thank you Brad and Rick!