Introducing Brad Mehldau - Brad Mehldau

Introducing Brad Mehldau is the pianist's debut album as a leader, recorded over two sessions in March and April 1995 at Power Station in New York City and released on Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Matt Pierson, the album is split between two trios: Larry Grenadier on bass and Jorge Rossy on drums play the first five tracks, while Christian McBride and Brian Blade take over for the remaining four. Mehldau later described the result as essentially two records in one, with each rhythm section bringing a distinct character — Grenadier and Rossy providing a more understated, conversational interplay, McBride and Blade a bolder, more muscular energy. The program mixes standards with Mehldau originals, opening with a spacious reading of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "It Might as Well Be Spring" and including Cole Porter's "From This Moment On," Ellington's "Prelude to a Kiss," and Coltrane's "Countdown." Mehldau's own compositions, including "Angst" and "Young Werther," reveal a romantic, literary sensibility that set him apart from other young pianists on the 1990s jazz scene. The album introduced the lyrical, harmonically rich trio approach that Mehldau would refine over the Art of the Trio series that followed, and signaled the emergence of one of the most influential jazz pianists of his generation.