When saxophonist Joshua Redman broke into the national jazz consciousness in 1992, he was part of a group of upstarts called “The Young Lions”, who leaned into traditional swing, bebop, blues, and straight acoustic jazz. His contemporaries included the Marsalis brothers, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, Benny Green, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and Kenny Garrett. People were ready for that shift from synthesized jazz. According to the Wall Street Journal, Redman’s five solo records between 1993-1996 sold over a million copies combined. Now, after 25 albums, 11 Grammy nominations, and almost 35 years on the scene, he’s still a lion, but one with perspective.
Over Labor Day weekend, Redman’s crack quartet of Paul Cornish (piano), Philip Norris (bass), and Nazir Ebo (drums) played on a gorgeous afternoon at DC Jazz Fest. There wasn’t a seat to be had on District Pier as the band ripped through tunes from their most recent album Words Fall Short and other selections. It didn’t matter when the sheet music blew away, this unit has been playing together for three years and they are airtight. Redman was there at center stage, slim and stylish, blowing up a storm.
Back in January, the quartet had a memorable week at Smoke Jazz Club in New York. In the accompanying audio interview, Redman talks about recording a double album, playing two shows a night, and going out after his own gig to hear other acts during Winter JazzFest. He also discussed his late, great hero Sonny Rollins, his native Bay Area, and the star-studded quartet that he has re-assembled several times over the years: Brad Mehldau (piano), Christian McBride (bass), and Brian Blade (drums).
At this point in his career, Joshua Redman could play fewer shows, record less, or not try to reach that impossible note on stage anymore, but he doesn’t. He is touring the United States, South America, Asia, and Canada this year alone. He keeps putting himself out there, still reaching and searching for that higher plane.
Listen to the full interview below
