Joshua Redman

Infobox musical artist

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Name = Joshua Redman
Img_capt = Joshua Redman at the North sea Jazz Festival of 2007. Photo by Siebe van Ineveld
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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
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Born = 1969
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Origin = United States
Instrument = Tenor saxophone, Soprano saxophone
Genre = Jazz
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Label = Warner Bros., Nonesuch
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URL = [http://www.joshuaredman.com joshuaredman.com]
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Joshua Redman (born February 1, 1969) is an American jazz saxophonist who records for Nonesuch Records. He won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in 1991.

Career

Redman, who is both African American and Jewish American, was born in Berkeley, California, to jazz saxophonist Dewey Redman and his wife, Renee Shedroff. He was exposed to many kinds of music at the Center for World Music in Berkeley, where his mother studied South Indian dance. Some of his earliest lessons in music and improvisation were on recorder with gamelan player Jody Diamond.

He graduated from Berkeley High School [ [http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_redman_joshua.htm PBS - JAZZ A Film By Ken Burns: Selected Artist Biography - Joshua Redman ] ] , class of 1986. In 1991, he graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Society. During college, he was called Josh Shedroff (Shedroff being his mother's maiden name).

Redman won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, also in 1991, and began focusing on his musical career. Redman continued to develop his style throughout the 1990s, beginning with a sideman appearance on his father's 1992 record "Choices". On his second album as a leader, "Wish", he was joined by a notable lineup consisting of guitarist Pat Metheny, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Billy Higgins; he would later tour this album as "The Joshua Redman Quartet", featuring Christian McBride in place of Charlie Haden Fact|date=June 2007. He continued to work with various quartets, including one with pianist Brad Mehldau until forming a new trio, "Elastic", with keyboardist Sam Yahel and drummer Brian Blade. The trio debuted under the moniker "Yaya3", producing one album under this name. The same group of musicians made up the core on Redman's "Elastic" album, before becoming known as the "Joshua Redman Elastic Band". Some of his works were featured on The Weather Channel's "Local On The 8s".

In addition to his efforts with "Elastic", Redman was the artistic director of San Francisco's SFJAZZ Collective from 2004-2007. Redman has made a guest appearance on an episode of the TV show "Arthur" as the uncle of Francine, one of the main characters. The episode also depicts him in a boxing match against classic cellist Yo-Yo Ma. He also appeared on "Reading Rainbow", episode 127 "Hip-Cat," in which Redman discussed with host Levar Burton the importance of music and how jazz had affected his life, which he followed with a live performance.

Redman has also appeared on recordings and in live performances by Umphrey's McGee. [ [http://www.emusic.com/album/Umphrey-s-McGee-The-Bottom-Half-MP3-Download/11027195.html The Bottom Half mp3s, The Bottom Half music downloads, The Bottom Half songs from eMusic.com ] ] On his latest album, "Back East", Redman paid tribute to Sonny Rollins' 1957 album "Way Out West", teaming up with musicians including Brian Blade, Christian McBride, Al Jackson, Joe Lovano, and his late father.

Discography

References

External links

* [http://www.joshuaredman.com Official website]
* [http://www.jazzhistorydatabase.com/files/scans/worcester_magazine/pdfs/joshua-redman_joshua-redman_chet-williamson.pdf (New England Jazz History Database) Worcester Magazine - "Joshua Redman Launches City Jazz Fest" by Chet Williamson]