Brad Mehldau & Christian McBride

It’s rare to be so absolutely certain of an extraordinary musical experience after reading just two names on a concert bill. But this performance is one of those rare exceptions — we already know it’s going to stay with us for a long time.

In this duo, two of the most acclaimed artists in contemporary jazz join forces. Brad Mehldau ranks among the most lyrical and introspective pianists of our time. Throughout his career, he has been celebrated by audiences and critics alike and has received numerous awards — both as the leader of his own projects and as a collaborator with some of the most respected names in contemporary music, including Pat Metheny, Renée Fleming, Chris Thile, and Joshua Redman.

What defines Brad Mehldau is his remarkable ability to bridge different musical idioms. His repertoire features brilliant reinterpretations of songs by composers and artists from a wide range of cultural worlds — from The Beatles, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin to Radiohead, Paul Simon, and Nick Drake. At the same time, he continues to build an ever-expanding catalogue of striking original compositions. It’s no coincidence that The New York Times has called him “the most influential jazz pianist of the past twenty years.”

Christian McBride, a nine-time Grammy Award-winning bassist and composer, is equally active as a performer, producer, and educator. He serves, for example, as the artistic director of the renowned Newport Jazz Festival. The list of artists he has worked with is truly impressive: within jazz, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Diana Krall, Chick Corea, and Wynton Marsalis; beyond jazz, Sting, Paul McCartney, Céline Dion, Isaac Hayes, and James Brown. Since 1994, McBride has also released more than twenty albums as a leader — both studio and live recordings from such legendary venues as Village Vanguard and Tonic.

Christian McBride says of his long-time friend:

“Brad is rightly revered as one of the greatest pianists of all time. I’m very proud to have been his friend and collaborator for almost thirty-five years. He was one of the first people I met when I moved to New York in 1989, and every time we play together, it’s an uplifting experience.”

Brad Mehldau responds:

“Playing with Christian in this duo is a dream come true. Performing with him, especially in this format, is both joyful and humbling. His sophistication, emotional strength, and grace are unmatched. And it’s not only about what he has achieved on his instrument, but about his importance as one of the most powerful voices in music as a whole. It’s a great honor to share the stage with him.”

This long-standing friendship and musical partnership have led to many collaborations over the years — including the albums MoodSwing (1994), RoundAgain (2020), and LongGone (2023) with Joshua Redman and Brian Blade, as well as trio tours with drummer Marcus Gilmore. Now, Europe can look forward to the music of this perfectly attuned duo — a true celebration of artistry and connection.