John Mayer has offered fans a treat with the release of “Little Sur,” a seven-minute instrumental track born from a spontaneous jam session in New York City. Recorded last February, this piece showcases Mayer alongside a stellar lineup of musicians: Steve Jordan, Pino Palladino, Chick Corea, and Wallace Roney.
Mayer describes the recording process as six days of “playing music with no rules, no plans, and no pressure.” This liberating approach resulted in hours of inspired music, which Mayer is considering sifting through for a potential future album. In “Little Sur,” Mayer highlights his role on a Music Man long scale guitar, noting the rich bass textures created in collaboration with Pino Palladino. The entry of Chick Corea on piano, Mayer recounts, elevated the session to “something really deep.” What’s shared is the raw, “rough mix” from that day, offering listeners an unvarnished glimpse into their musical synergy.
Explaining the decision to release the full seven-minute track, John Mayer states that shorter clips simply couldn’t capture the essence of these recordings. He presents “Little Sur” as “Free music. Played freely, shared freely,” inviting listeners to “put it on and go for the ride.” This release, Mayer reflects, is a reminder of the pure joy of music creation, contrasting with the strategic demands of the music industry. He hopes listeners enjoy “hearing this as much as I did” playing it.
