Saxophonist Joshua Redman's public musical trajectory began in 1991, when he was fresh out of Harvard en route to a law degree. It was during this time that he decided to tour with his well-known father, saxophonist Dewey Redman, among others. That fall, Joshua won first prize in the Thelonoius Monk Institute of Jazz saxophone competition, resulting in a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records. His eponymous recording debut came in 1993, featuring bassist Charlie Haden, pianist Kevin Hays and drummer Gregory Hutchinson; Haden being the only veteran in the group. Later that year, Wish was released, pairing Redman with a complete lineup of seasoned pros: guitarist Pat Metheny, Haden and drummer Billy Higgins. This band toured significantly behind the record, demonstrating Redman's pull and reach as a "young lion" of only 23. The following year, the saxist formed a young touring band that included pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade. This band recorded Mood Swing, his first album of all original compositions.
By 1995, it became apparent that Redman was ready to record a live album, which he did with Spirit Of The Moment, a set of 11 new tunes played at New York's Village Vanguard and featuring yet another lineup of pianist Peter Martin, bassist Christopher Thomas and drummer Blade. Redman's string of albums laced with new material continued with Freedom In The Groove, recorded by the Spirit Of The Moment band plus guitarist Peter Bernstein. Redman's sixth and most recent album, Timeless Tales (For Changing Times) (1998), found him performing standards such as Cole Porter's "Love For Sale" and George Gershwin's "Summertime" alongside more current fare like Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby." Returning for this project were pianist Mehldau and drummer Blade, along with new member bassist Larry Grenadier.
The prolific Redman, who plays alto and soprano as well as tenor saxophone, continues to tour and perform in all-star aggregates as well. Examples include the cross-generational all-star tribute to movie star Clint Eastwood at New York's Carnegie Hall and a playing part in Robert Altman's movie about jazz in the 1930s, Kansas City. Over the years, Redman's tone and style on saxophone has gone through many changes: from an inspired but more conservative sound to one that embraces elements of atonality, is more aggressive and burly while experimenting with his horns' sweeter, more melodic aspects. Traces of Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon and contemporaries like Joe Lovano can be heard in his playing. In the end, though, Redman, who includes elements of hip-hop, pop and funk to his jazz, is learning to communicate in a style all his own.
