The iconic jazz pianist has been hard at work recording a new album, Ride Into The Sun, a tribute to the late Elliott Smith. In advance of the record's release on August 29, Mehldau, 54, made his late night television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He performed a stunning rendition of Smith's "Colorbars," accompanied by Chris Thile of Punch Brothers, who sang lead vocals and played mandolin.
Fans were moved by the evocative performance, which offered a unique take on a song that's become a classic over the last two decades. No one expected a jazz rendition of "Colorbars," but seeing it performed on one of the most popular late night programs was an even greater surprise.
"This is kind of surreal to watch...I know this is Brad crossing over (as he has done for a long time) but on a Late Night Show, its worlds colliding for me!" added another.
“Elliott Smith says in the original song, ‘Everyone wants me to ride into the sun.’ When I listen to music, I have a feeling that I can be in communion with somebody who is no longer in this earthly realm, like he is here," Mehldau said in a 2025 interview. "And as far as ‘riding into the sun,’ it's maybe more of a perpetual riding into the sun with him. I don't know ... There's something mystical there.”
Though Mehldau and Thile have not released a second record together, they remain close collaborators. Thile sang and played mandolin on Ride Into The Sun, which includes four original compositions of Mehldau's in addition to the ten Smith covers and interpretations of Big Star's "Thirteen" and Nick Drake's "Sunday."
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