Brad Mehldau Trio doesn't disappoint

Each monthly installment of the Jazz series at the Sheraton hotel draws a healthy crowd. For Monday's showcase of the Brad Mehldau Trio, every single seat was filled with ushers scrambling to find new places to put patrons on the sides of the stage. Even with obstructed views, folks were glad to have a place to park.

And nobody in the capacity crowd went home disappointed.

The beauty of the trio — consisting of Brad Mehldau on piano, Larry Grenadier on upright bass, and Jeff Ballard on drums — was on full display Monday, as each of the three musicians were allowed to show off their considerable skills without the audience losing awareness of what the rest of the group was doing.

The first three numbers were all new, nameless pieces. "They speak for themselves," Mehldau said.

The first piece eased the band gently into the show. The next featured the generous but light splash of Ballard's cymbal set. The third's jumping tempo put a good sheen on the hard-working percussionist.

Grenadier at times plunged over the shoulder of his upright bass to get both hands low on the neck. The trio served notice that it was free-flowing and unpredictable, but never reckless or frantic.

Part of the magic was how effortless the playing looked and how masterful it sounded.

Skipping the intermission, the group really hit its stride with a samba number that stretched more than 10 minutes and hinted at the hit that was to come.

Jumping to "We See," a Thelonius Monk tune, Mehldau followed the innovator's tradition with his own efforts at percussive piano with hesitations and silences to underline his finger work.

The New York-based trio, which is known for using mainstream songs in jazz, gave a moving rendition of Elvis Costello's "Baby Plays Around." It fit the program perfectly and allowed Mehldau to step forward and carry the almost lyrical melody. By the end of the song he was playing alone, his partners bowing their heads, seemingly in worship. Mehldau wrung the song dry of emotion before letting it fade gently away.

The conclusion of the show brought a standing ovation and an encore that featured what everybody wanted: the pianist showing off a bit with speed and precision.

E-mail: LC@desnews.com

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