Elan Mehler - There is a Dance (2022)

There Is A Dance features all original compositions from pianist Elan Mehler – heralded by The Guardian for the “subdued certainties of his playing [that] bring a crowded room to total silence.” Elan’s eleventh and most personal album pays tribute to the artist’s late mother.

"I’ve spent my whole life with this music," says Mehler. "Listening to this music – practicing this music – relying on this music – struggling with this music – and – when it’s good – welcoming this music’s arrival from the quietest place in my heart."

Joining him in this trio are two outstanding artists and Newvelle alumni: bassist Tony Scherr and percussionist Francisco Mela.

"Making this record was a dream," says Mehler. "Francisco Mela and Tony Scherr are musicians that I’ve been listening to with appreciation and often awe for many years. I didn’t share the music in advance with them. I made sure before handing them the manuscripts that there weren’t any words describing the music, no directions and no descriptions. With each piece, I would play through the melody alone on solo piano, and then without saying a word, we would cut a take."