Brad Mehldau

8:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 6 and Thursday, April 7. Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Avenue.

By Dean C. Minderman on Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 4:00 am

Brad Mehldau

$30. 314-534-1111.

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Though he came by his reputation as one of today's top jazz pianists with a series of albums called "Art of the Trio," Brad Mehldau has been exploring different musical formats lately. His 2010 CD, Highway Rider, augmented the trio with guest stars and a chamber orchestra, showing off his classical influences, while his just-issued two-CD/DVD set, Live in Marciac, is a solo piano performance that's drawing critical raves for its extended display of virtuosity. Now, fresh from shows in Europe — both solo and with Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter — Mehldau is reconnecting with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard for some highly anticipated U.S. dates, mostly concerts but also a handful of clubs, including St. Louis' Jazz at the Bistro.