With evident connections to both classical and rock music, Brad Mehldau’s introspective piano jazz challenges popular notions of the genre. Named Jazz Pianist of the Year by Downbeat in 1999, Mehldau reached #2 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart with his 2000 release, Places. Fellow jazz musician Pat Metheny hails Mehldau "the most exciting pianist to come along since Herbie Hancock." The Brad Mehldau Trio, featuring Larry Grenadiere on bass and Jorge Rossy on drums, appears at The Shedd on April 13.