Finding Gabriel

The music initially sprang out of a new synth I was discovering," Mehldau says. "I built up many of the tracks beginning with synths and Mark Guiliana on drums. Layers were added, and the human voice became an important element--not with text, but as a pure expression of harmony and emotion. I worked with singers I've admired and been close to over the past several years--Becca Stevens, Kurt Elling, and Gabriel Kahane--and sang myself as well. Strings and winds were added and the project

became more orchestral, with features from stellar musicians: trumpet player Ambrose Akinmusire, tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, and violinist Sara Caswell. A new experience for me on three of the tracks was to go the opposite as well--doing everything as a one-man band. Both the collaborations and solo flights were a learning experience and full of discovery."