Jazz whiz Brad Mehldau gives powerhouse performance

What is it that makes pianist Brad Mehldau one of the most dynamic and compelling figures to have emerged in mainstream jazz over the past few decades?

Having had the pleasure of watching him up close Friday night at Yoshi's Oakland, I now have a more fully developed theory. Yes, he has a knack for wringing beauty from unexpected places, including Friday's opening cover of "Got Me Wrong" by late and not-all-that-lamented grunge act Alice in Chains. And yes, there's the pianist's long-running partnership with bassist Larry Grenadier, which lends to a rhythmic style so organic I didn't even recognize Grenadier's run in the opening number as a jazz solo.

But let us also give credit to Mehldau's left hand and right (pedal) foot, which were in near constant motion Friday. The persistent bass figures and subtle shifts in sustain created a rhythmic integrity and drive that gave every number an intensely physical appeal. Mehldau is playing jazz, without a doubt, but the songs feel like well-crafted pop tunes.

Mehldau and his trio nominally are touring in support of his new CD, "Highway Rider," a surprisingly romantic affair filled with sweeping string arrangements and lush saxophone contributions by Berkeley boy Joshua Redman. One wondered how Mehldau was going to recreate much of the album's feel without an orchestra, but he had at least the next best thing with a surprise appearance by Redman.

Perversely, they didn't play anything from the new album, but instead worked up an extended run of on-the-spot magic that showed a daunting mastery of both the jazz canon and improvisational instinct. Redman was fierce on a pointed run through Wayne Shorter's "Yes and No" and nearly tore the house down with his spirited rhythmic interplay with Mehldau on the closing romp through "Feelin' Allright." But the saxophonist also has mellowed in a very pleasing way, as he demonstrated with his delicate touch on Thelonious Monk's "Monk's Dream."

Other highlight's included the trio's blissful ramble through "Holland," a pretty little Sufjan Stevens song that demonstrated both the dexterity and delicacy of Mehldau's touch.

The Brad Mehldau Trio performs through Sunday at the club, with shows at 8 and 10 p.m. tonight and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Trust me, you'll feel a lot better about the current state of jazz after one of these shows.

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