Advertisement
Advertisement

Brad Mehldau – Suite: April 2020

In brief:
"...a suite of 12 short compositions which drew upon his experiences during lockdown ... In addition to this suite are three covers that round off a short but sweet record"

Esteemed US pianist and prominent composer Brad Mehldau used his time wisely during the COVID-19 pandemic. At home with his family based in the Netherlands, Mehldau wrote a suite of 12 short compositions which drew upon his experiences during lockdown. It was conceived, as the title suggests, in April 2020. In addition to this suite are three covers that round off a short but sweet record – 40 minutes in total.

The focal point of this album is not Mehldau but the musicians struggling through this global crisis. Therefore, one thousand signed copies are being sold with proceeds being donated to the Jazz Foundation of America’s COVID-19 Musicians’ Emergency Fund.

Advertisement

As ever, Mehldau’s graceful touch continues to send me into deep reflection. The titles of each composition are named appropriately, such as III. keeping distance, V. remembering before all this and VI. uncertainty. Each homes in on individual thoughts and memories which are reflected the music.

Mehldau said “Suite: April 2020 is a musical snapshot of life the last month in the world in which we’ve all found ourselves. I’ve tried to portray on the piano some experiences and feelings that are both new and common to many of us. In ‘keeping distance,’ for example, I traced the experience of two people social distancing, represented by the left and right hand – how they are unnaturally drawn apart, yet remain linked in some unexplainable, and perhaps illuminating way. As difficult as COVID-19 has been for many of us, there have been moments of revelation along the way. ‘stopping, listening: hearing’ highlights that moment as well.”

A standout is the final track, Look For The Silver Lining, written by Jerome Kern. Mehldau intentionally ends on the V chord, leaving the sound – and the situation – in an unresolved state. Perhaps there is not yet a silver lining. But the music is a positive product.

Discography
I. waking up; II. stepping outside; III. keeping distance; IV. stopping, listening: hearing; V. remembering before all this; VI. uncertainty; VII. – the day moves by –; VIII. yearning; IX. waiting; X. in the kitchen; XI. family harmony; XII. lullaby; Don’t Let It Bring You Down; New York State Of Mind; Look For The Silver Lining (40.20)
Brad Mehldau (p). Amsterdam, Netherlands, April 2020.
Nonesuch Records

Latest audio reviews

Advertisement

More from this author

Advertisement

Jazz Journal articles by month

Advertisement

Gary Smulyan & Ralph Moore Quintet: Bird’s Eye Encounter!

This material was recorded at the conclusion of a three-week tour which allowed the quintet to become thoroughly familiar not only with the repertoire,...
Advertisement

Obituary: Dick Bank

The first time I heard the name Dick Bank must have been around 1992, and it came about in a somewhat peculiar way. I...
Advertisement

Tony Coe: ‘The first prerequisite is that it should be honest’

To mark the death of Tony Coe we republish an article in which he comments on Basie, the Beatles, Jan Garbarek, modal and free jazz and more
Advertisement

The Notebooks Of Sonny Rollins

The famously self-examining saxophonist wrote telegraphic notes on his musical and spiritual progress and how much he fancied Gene Tierney
Advertisement

Sloane: A Jazz Singer

Songbook devotee Sloane was acclaimed at Newport in 1961 but then faced the onset of 60s pop, which she defied with typical tenacity
Advertisement

JJ 06/61: Bob Brookmeyer – The Blues Hot And Cold

I've always regarded Brookmeyer as a very "clinical" player - competent but cold, very polished, pleasant to listen to but without an ounce of...
"...a suite of 12 short compositions which drew upon his experiences during lockdown ... In addition to this suite are three covers that round off a short but sweet record"Brad Mehldau - Suite: April 2020