Brad Mehldau's latest Nonesuch album, Highway Rider, is out now. The album "might be his most fully realized work yet," exclaims the Los Angeles Times in a perfect four-star review. "Full of unexpected twists and lush, evocative detours, Highway Rider is most definitely a trip, and one well worth taking." The Hartford Courtant calls it "triumphant." The BBC sees it as "a work that stretches the artist’s conceptual scope without stifling his essence."

Brad Mehldau's latest album, Highway Rider, is out now. The New York Times examines this "impressive" album and the pairing of Mehldau and producer Jon Brion. Given the success of their previous project, Largo, says the Times, this brings with it "a certain expectation, one that Highway Rider meets more than halfway." The Financial Times says: "Mehldau, with his trust in his own experience, came through in spades, pulling his musical influences into orchestrated coherence, and communicating the fun he had in doing it." The Times (UK) gives four stars to this "inspired set."

Brad Mehldau and his forthcoming Nonesuch release, Highway Rider, were slated to be featured on tomorrow's episode of NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday, but the segment has been postponed to a future date. The Guardian, in a five-star review of the album, calls it "the real deal," saying: "Highway Rider's contrasts and dramatic entries spring constant surprises, and show how much progress the mesmerising improviser has made as a big-ensemble composer."

Brad Mehldau's Highway Rider is out now, with an exclusive bonus demo track included at the Nonesuch Store. Brad's official site, bradmehldau.com, has been relaunched with a new look and lots of new material. All About Jazz describes the new album, with "its almost perfect mix of form and freedom," as "the most fully realized original music the pianist has written to date ... Mehldau the composer has clearly arrived."

The Los Angeles Philharmonic has announced its 2010-2011 concert season. John Adams, the orchestra's creative chair, will oversee its famed Green Umbrella new-music series, with music by Michael Gordon, George Crumb, and others, concluding with a concert led by Adams. His Slonimsky's Earbox will be featured on the LA Phil's European tour. Brad Mehldau will perform Highway Rider at Disney Hall with musicians from the album, including Joshua Redman.

Carnegie Hall announced, with its 2010-11 concert season, a season-long residency by Brad Mehldau as holder of Carnegie's Richard and Barbara Debs Composer’s Chair, the first jazz artist to hold this position. Included in his residency are the live, NY premiere of Highway Rider; a solo program; an expanded version of his Love Songs with Anne Sofie von Otter; and the world premiere of a new work. Among other season highlights: a celebration of Steve Reich's 75th birthday and a Carnegie Hall 120th anniversary concert with Audra McDonald and the New York Philharmonic.

Nonesuch Records releases Highway Rider, a double-disc of original work by pianist and composer Brad Mehldau, on March 16. The album is his second collaboration with producer Jon Brion and features performances by Mehldau’s trio—drummer Jeff Ballard and bassist Larry Grenadier—as well as drummer Matt Chamberlain, saxophonist Joshua Redman, and a chamber orchestra led by Dan Coleman. In a Nonesuch Store Exclusive, orders include an early demo recording in which Mehldau explains to Brion how he'd like the title track to unfold.

Brad Mehldau performs solo sets at New York City's Highline Ballroom tonight, with proceeds going to benefit JazzReach, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, performance, creation, and teaching of jazz. "Mehldau has established himself as one of the standout jazz voices of his generation," says the New York Times, "partly through a run of intensely lyrical solo piano recitals." The Village Voice calls Mehldau's solo work "sublime."

Brad Mehldau begins a five-night residency at New York's Birdland tonight with a quartet the New York Times calls an "all-star package"—Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, and Charlie Haden—to celebrate the venue's 60th anniversary. In January, Brad returns to New York to perform two solo sets at the Highline Ballroom to benefit JazzReach, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, performance, creation, and teaching of jazz.

Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau will perform together at the official National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, DC, this evening starting at 5 PM EST, joining fellow performers Sheryl Crow, Common, Jordan Sparks, and Ray LaMontagne, as well as President Obama and his family. The whole ceremony will be streamed live online and will be broadcast on PBS stations across the country tomorrow night.

The Times (UK) has had its say on the best albums of the decade, covering the best in classical, jazz, world music, and pop, and Nonesuch artists are represented in every one: John Adams at No. 1 on the classical list with Doctor Atomic Symphony; Brad Mehldau and Bill Frisell in jazz; Youssou N'Dour, Orchestra Baobab, "Cachaíto" Lopez, and Amadou & Mariam in world; the Malian duo in pop as well, along with Brian Wilson and Wilco.

When Joshua Redman joined Brad Mehldau for a duo set at London's Wigmore Hall last month, the Guardian said that with "the eloquent saxophonist" Redman, "Mehldau was often able to let his partner's built-in swing release his most whimsical side." The two perform together again for a very festive occasion: the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, DC, on December 3, with a PBS broadcast the following night.