Like so many others, I grew up with the music of The Beatles.

My most intense connection with their songs was during my teenage years—I’d dance and goof around to their music in the living room when I was home sick, and I learned English by studying their lyrics. At our high school graduation ceremony, my classmate and I even sang Yesterday.

More than a decade later, in 2011, I rediscovered The Beatles in a new way while brainstorming something special to share with friends at one of my concerts. It was fascinating to realize how much my ears and mind had changed over the years, allowing me to experience their songs differently. For instance, I finally understood the meaning behind Hey Jude. I also came to see their songs as akin to classic jazz standards—an inexhaustible source of beautiful, timeless musical motifs, stories, and messages.

The Beatles’ music evokes powerful emotions and offers the listener a chance to discover something new with every listen. Despite their undeniable depth and wisdom, their songs are simple, accessible, and endlessly enjoyable—qualities that resonate just as much with listeners as with performers. For us musicians, The Beatles’ compositions are noble, beautifully malleable, and inspiring material—a true joy to explore and interpret.

Every performance with this project brings profound and memorable moments of connection with the audience. What began as a one-time concert for friends quickly became something more. The overwhelmingly positive response and enthusiasm inspired me to develop the idea into a full-fledged project: Beatles in Jazz. Over several seasons, this project has brought me immense joy, and it seems the well of inspiration it provides won’t run dry anytime soon.

Listen for Yourself

Get a sense of my take on The Beatles by listening to Free As a Bird, Drive My Car, Nowhereman or Imagine.