Pianist/keyboardist Brad Mehldau has referenced his youthful influences recently. His new 2023 release is a Beatles cover album,
Your Mother Should Know, and was
recommended above by
@Ralph_Cramden. His
2022 release, Jacob's Ladder, was something completely different, and
was nominated for a 2023 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. The album is
an homage to Progressive Rock, with 2 Rush covers (one with Chris Thile!) a tribute to Gentle Giant, with plenty of Yes and King Crimson sounds interwoven.
I had to check. I have ~65 CD/LP/cass/DVD/VHS units from the 4 mentioned proggers. Musta been youthful influences on me, too.
Mother warned me this might lead to jazz...
Mehldau has been active since the 90s, has released over 30 albums as leader, won a Grammy and has now been nominated 7 more times.
Brad had 2 Grammy nominations this year, the other for his collaboration with Joshua Redman, and others, on
LongGone, which was
recommended here.
The official album videos were nothing special, so here's a duet with mandolinist Chris Thile (they did an album together in 2017), and then a solo piano Beatles tune not on the new album. The album isn't as quiet as the vids, fyi. YouTube and Spotify links to the nominated album follow, as well as links to the new album. Please enjoy another recent instrumental Grammy nomination.
Brad Mehldau, Jacob's Ladder, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.
Brad Mehldau, Your Mother Should Know, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.