Joshua Redman

Recognized for his command of the tenor saxophone, Joshua Redman approaches jazz with reflective curiosity and an inventive outlook, anchoring his vigorous improvisations in post-bop lineage while incorporating intricate harmonic insight and a sense of lighthearted discovery. As the offspring of saxophonist Dewey Redman, he secured his initial major opportunity in 1991 by claiming top honors at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Saxophone Competition. A Grammy nomination arrived with his self-titled 1993 debut, after which his follow-up album Wish, featuring guitarist Pat Metheny, ascended to the summit of the Billboard Jazz chart. He has sustained an active presence through partnerships with Brad Mehldau, Yo-Yo Ma, and the Bad Plus, while probing diverse sonic territories on releases such as 2005’s Momentum with the funk- and hip-hop-inflected Elastic Band, the 2011 acoustic quartet recording James Farm, and 2018’s Still Dreaming, a tribute to his father’s contributions to Ornette Coleman’s Old & New Dreams ensemble. Redman later reconvened his celebrated 1990s quartet of Mehldau, Brian Blade, and Christian McBride for 2020’s RoundAgain and 2022’s LongGone, before issuing his Blue Note debut where are we in 2023 alongside vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa.

Born in Berkeley, California, in 1969, Joshua Redman entered a household steeped in music as the child of esteemed tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman. Immersed early in an eclectic range of sounds, he began on clarinet before adopting the tenor saxophone near age ten. Though he pursued musical studies intensively during his academic years, he ultimately earned a Harvard degree in social studies. Accepted to Yale Law School as well, he instead relocated to New York City to focus on performance.

Redman captured first place at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in 1991, which led to a Warner Bros. recording agreement. His self-titled solo debut appeared two years later and brought an initial Grammy nomination. Wish followed in 1993 with guitarist Pat Metheny and reached number one on the Billboard Jazz chart; Redman subsequently performed and recorded alongside Chick Corea.

MoodSwing, issued in 1994, presented original material and introduced his quartet comprising pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Brian Blade, each of whom soon pursued individual projects yet maintained ongoing associations with Redman. Timeless Tales (For Changing Times) emerged in 1998 and reflected an expanded palette blending jazz with hip-hop and dance elements.

Beyond, released in 2000, marked the debut of a new acoustic quartet featuring pianist Aaron Goldberg, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson, with saxophonist Mark Turner as guest; the same lineup returned the next year on Passage of Time. Around that period Redman substituted at New York’s Smalls nightclub alongside keyboardist Sam Yahel and drummer Blade, prompting the 2003 Hammond organ album Yaya3. From that trio sprang the Elastic Band, which surfaced on 2003’s Elastic and, two years later, moved to Nonesuch for Momentum. Expanded by vibraphonist Stefon Harris, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, and guests including Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, bassist/singer Meshell Ndegéocello, and Roots drummer Questlove, the album reached number eight on the Billboard Classical Albums chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.

Redman revisited acoustic post-bop contexts on 2007’s Grammy-nominated Back East, employing varied lineups that included saxophonist Joe Lovano, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Ali Jackson. Compass, another intimate group session, appeared in early 2009. In 2011 he formed the collective quartet James Farm with pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland. Subsequent projects encompassed the 2013 orchestral effort Walking Shadows and the 2014 concert recording Trios Live, drawn from performances at Jazz Standard and Blues Alley.

The 2015 collaboration The Bad Plus Joshua Redman yielded a Grammy nomination for Best Improvised Jazz Solo on “Friend or Foe.” The duo album Nearness with pianist Brad Mehldau also received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. Still Dreaming, released in 2018, evoked his father Dewey’s tenure with Ornette Coleman’s Old & New Dreams band and featured drummer Brian Blade, trumpeter Ron Miles, and bassist Scott Colley. Come What May followed in 2019 with the Beyond-era rhythm section of Goldberg, Rogers, and Hutchinson. That same year Sun on Sand paired Redman with the chamber ensemble Brooklyn Rider on compositions by Patrick Zimmerli.

RoundAgain surfaced in July 2020, reuniting Redman with the MoodSwing quartet of Mehldau, McBride, and Blade. After appearing on pianist Tigran Hamasyan’s Stand Art, he reassembled the same group for 2022’s LongGone. In 2023 he made his Blue Note debut with where are we, enlisting vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa along with drummer Blade, pianist Aaron Parks, and bassist Joe Sanders. The set mixed originals and standards, highlighted by a medley of Count Basie’s “Goin’ to Chicago” and Sufjan Stevens’ “Chicago” that included vibraphonist Joel Ross.