Joshua Redman: Tiny Desk Concert

Mitra I. Arthur | February 9, 2024
Saxophonist and composer Joshua Redman is a regular on NPR's Jazz Night in America, featured on episodes including a tribute to his father, saxophonist Dewey Redman, and a reunion with his former quartet featuring Brad Mehldau, Jazz Night host Christian McBride and Brian Blade. Since his debut in the 1990s, Redman has built a career thoughtfully exploring every crevice of modern jazz and infusing it with the variety of genres he grew up listening to.
Here, Redman presents cuts from his latest album, Where Are We, a medication on the complexities of America, featuring new collaborator vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa. In "Chicago Blues," Redman's take on a Count Basie classic, and a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia," Cavassa and Redman dance over the anchoring grooves from bassist Philip Norris and drummer Nazir Ebo, while pianist Paul Cornish delivers a stunning improvised transition between the two songs. For the final selection, Redman opens with an improvisation on "America the Beautiful." The traditional, patriotic tune is a stark contrast to the ugly inspiration for the plaintive "After Minneapolis" that follows, about the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. The song's growing maelstrom surrounds Redman's haunting wails and Cavassa's mournful interpretation of Redman's lyrics. Throughout, Redman's solos serve to illustrate why he is one of today's best saxophonists.
SET LIST
"Chicago Blues"
"Streets of Philadelphia"
"After Minneapolis"
MUSICIANS
Joshua Redman: saxophone
Gabrielle Cavassa: vocals
Paul Cornish: piano
Philip Norris: double bass
Nazir Ebo: drums
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Mitra I. Arthur
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Technical Director: Josh Rogosin
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Maia Stern, Alanté Serene, Michael Zamora
Audio Engineer: Valentina Rodríguez Sánchez
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Estefania Mitre
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Hazel Cills
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#nprmusic #tinydesk #joshuaredman

[@nprmusic]

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[@Staunte]

Joshua Redman once came to the small coffee shop I work at. I didn't know him at the time, but he was obviously into coffee, so we struck up a short conversation. He said he'd love to put me and an additional person (+2 other guests in the café) on the guest list for the show he was playing that same night. I went with my mother, who happened to be visiting. It was a great concert and a lovely chance encounter.

[@nicolashinrichs]

[@XavierJordanMusic]

That’s awesome

[@recreationallifting]

Jazz. Sax. Coffee. Story checks out.

[@brahmabile]

That was also very kind of you to actually even go out to his concert. Sometimes people get put on the guestlist and don’t show up. It can be an embarrassing bummer when that happens for the artist. He must have felt a vibe from you of trust, open-mindedness, patience, and taste that isn’t always there in the static. Having an attentive and grateful audience is the best gift for any artist, and the privilege to perform for such a crowd must be better than any dope.

[@sebastiant.9154]

How can someone have such a beautiful sound on saxophone... I am absolutely in love ❤

[@0SW13]

props to NPR tiny desk for showcasing jazz musicians

[@scottadams7523]

I wish they would do a lot more. There are so many great new talents rising in Jazz.

[@The-KP]

@@scottadams7523 Ditto this, more jazz please! Joshua Redman was great to hear, what a nice TD concert.

[@Kevin6059]

Triple ditto!

[@dr.robertbennett3452]

Jazz nowadays just not getting the love 😢😢😢

[@BenSegalll]

Engineer deserves a nobel peace prize for this audio mix

[@42escapehatch]

yes, please

[@Kevin6059]

I've found so much cool music on Tiny Desk and also KEXP, and both of these studios are the notch above top notch. Just crazy good audio.

[@danielkay9757]

duuude....super neat

[@j897xce]

Yeah because they're playing in a library, has to be quiet

[@Totory-bc5sw]

I agree

[@mehdileman6352]

I never thought I'd hear Joshua Redman pay tribute to Sufjan Stevens. Love it

[@felixamankwah758]

please explain? where/when does he?

[@jacksonsandre]

@@felixamankwah758uses the same changes as the last half of Chicago by Sufjan. Redman credits him in the description of his studio recording

[@jacksonsandre]

@@felixamankwah758In chicago blues* should have clarified

[@my_name_is_aram]

I heard the chords and melody and thought, "Where have I heard this?" Thank you!

[@PaulMcEvoyGuitars]

yeah beautiful

[@philipdanielpiano]

the mix/sound is absolutely incredible! huge kudos to the engineer!

[@esmith9875]

Josh rogosin

[@gleblazarev623]

@@esmith9875 yes man, great work. From russia wit love.

[@AficionadoKO]

Jazz is my favorite drug.

[@malachithomas651]

Let's get Samara joy on one of these!

[@ajordan1847]

This! ❤❤❤

[@guidochiatti8918]

7:30am , rainy day, Joshua Redman on tiny desk, what else would i need

[@NormPetersonsBarStool]

Breakfast

[@dasdude6561]

a doobie

[@astralhorizons]

umbrella

[@user-wx7dd9gc6j]

Doobie Brothers 😮😂​@@dasdude6561

[@dbullegoyrimusic]

I know everybody is paying atention to Josh (OMG) but oh my the sound of that drum kit... sheeeeeeeesh!

[@JohnnygSawyer]

I'm a drummer, I pulled out my practice pad & sticks. I haven't played any Jazz since Music School 30 years ago. I had to count because this drummer is so incredible. He's playing behind the beat, in front of the beat and on the beat. It was fantastic ❣️

[@__J_____]

My man just came in with no introduction or nothing and just started. Then jumped to the next song. That my style… no talk just work!

[@jamesokoh9934]

The singer is awesome

[@swperry04039]

Fantastic. Such great note choices on the melodies.

[@user-dc7pr4qj1y]

I think I have a crush

[@laloatx5892]

She's a wonderful contrast to most singing I hear nowadays - wonderful tone, control, singing with a purpose

[@isuckatskating5512]

​@@laloatx5892Majestic jazz voice

[@wurstfinger3289]

she has been to emmets place. yes, she must be awesome.

[@rolandroberts3224]

I think I'm in love with the singer. Her voice so amazing it's like a perfect pitch of low and high its exotic and intoxicating you can't help but to listen to every word she has to say... her and Josh are crazy combo and this band is amazing.

[@taligo200]

The singer is Gabrielle Cavassa! She has one amazing solo album on streaming services

[@hfontanez]

0:00 “Chicago Blues” 5:17 “Streets of Philadelphia” 11:55 recognition intermission 13:26 “After Minneapolis”

[@tealwave77]

In case anyone didnt catch it, the melodic line he adds to Chicago Blues is taken from Sufjan Stevens’ album Illinois and the song is called Chicago.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

Love Redman. His horn is just sublime. Always fresh sounding but still rooted in tradition. Beautiful.

[@roxywyndham]

He’s literally my favorite saxophonist. I saw him at Blues Alley in DC and got a picture with him. ❤

[@58jaz]

First saw Joshua with Christian McBride, Brad Meldau and Brian Blade at the Toronto Jazz Festival in 1996. Been a fan since, He’s so dynamic and a pleasure to listen to.

[@peterbrewton3424]

Did the same. Blues Alley, 2004. The Elastic tour.

[@anthonyharris478]

I've been a fan of Joshua Redman for decades. Met him once at a jazz seminar in the early '90s. Outstanding saxophonist my mentor. I'm impressed with the unit that he has now with the vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa Love her voice from the first note I heard her sing . The texture ,body, her enunciation, is perfect and she's extremely beautiful too. Should be a great concert and a great tour 👍

[@basboerboom9328]

These drums are crisp!

[@backintheday3169]

Kudos to my nephew, Nazir Ebo - a multitalented musician!

[@svensebastianhorner]

I met Joshua Redmen accidentally in a Jazz Club in Budapest about 13 years ago. I had recently listened a lot to one of his albums, so I was excited, but unfortunately the concert was already over. But he was super kind and came out of backstage and chatted a bit with me. He even made me take a photo with him, which I didn't even think of, but then I couldn't say no. Very humble guy he was.

[@lindakovacs6862]

Greetings from Budapest! 😊

[@pollenhead]

That man on the saxophone is a genius.

[@justcallmeJon]

Found Gabrielle Cavassa and Philip Norris (the bassist) from 'Live from Emmet's Place'. So cool to see them on TD concert, what an incredible cohort of musicians.

[@cooldebt]

EC3 always has such great bass players and guests 👌

[@genevadaddy]

I rode an elevator with Phillip Norris on the Jazz Cruise last month, on the first day. I asked him “are you…Phillip Norris?” He said yes, and seemed surprised that I was so star-struck. He is a cool cat and an amazing bassist.

[@PlumberDaddy]

If I hear or see the word cohort one more time, I am going to scream. What a horrible word to be trending right now. The word "group" is much less pretentious.

[@inklesswells]

Cornish/ Norris/ Ebo. That's a rhythm section worthy of the ones that came before it.

[@butterfligirl87]

Ha! My boyfriend just took me to see him in Portsmouth as a an early Valentine's gift last Sunday!

[@EltonShera]

He’s a keeper

[@evannelson8929]

I'm 23 years old and just found this amazing recommendation! Absolutely going to listen to his past discography. My dad got me into smooth/contemporary jazz when I was 12 and it has been a wonderful journey!

[@jmj4891]

I recommend his album Freedom in the Groove. It's my absolute favorite from him!

[@farflebfarfle]

I love Joshua Redman so much. I remember his album "Elastic" from a while ago; that blew me away. "Jazz Crimes" is a modern classic. And his work with The Bad Plus is killer, too. His pitch is amazing and he knows just how much blues to use in his solos.

[@kameya87]

I wish he made more jazz crimes, molten soul style tunes. That's what made me love his music

[@marcavonevans]

Been a fan of Joshua Redman since the 90s. Amazing musician

[@alexismelo19]

Straight up quoting Sufjan Stevens. Awesome! Redman has one of the most legendary sax tones. Incredible line up too!

[@GizzyDillespee]

Chicago had something special going on. Interesting intervals, some unexpectedly good choices there, how the piano and vocals fit together.

[@goozdail]

I agree, i think it's an awesome piece, my favorite from the album

[@jerbrooks]

How have i never heard of this dude? This mans out here making love to the world's ears with his sax!

[@TracksWithDax]

Gabrielle seriously BRINGS it!! Amazing voice, and the way she really conveys the story and emotion!!

[@JohnnygSawyer]

Incredible performance! Thank you Joshua, the band and the NPR Team!

[@tuwapatrick]

Sufjan ❤ Joshua

[@5amJones69]

RIGHT?!

[@scarrood]

the band + joshua's playing is beyond anything. I enjoyed those 22 minutes so well!

[@tomorronow]

Loved him with Umphrey's Mcgee, what a fun and great fit for that band! However.... his version of People Like You with The Bad Plus at Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival is transcendent, impossibly beautiful and soul-rending. If you're in the mood for emotional release, check that out :D

[@williamhornabrook8081]

Joshua Redman is one of my saxophone heroes 🎷 So cool to see him here!

[@gwendolynburns1456]

what a humble man wow this band is incredible

[@blasianpanther24]

love the guy's music but mett him in person and was not the best interaction tbh. that's why they say never meet your heroes

[@mdeloura]

Chills from that last tune. Great jazz is an exploration and I loved being in the world they painted.

[@JustinFriello]

That Sufjan quote was EVERYTHING

[@RickClarkCompton]

Always tasteful, inspiring and brings new levels of joy to my little world. And shout to the paper clip sizzle ride Nazir!

[@KevinMerinoCreations]

Love waking up with NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts! Joshua Redman and the band deliver a great performance of their music! 👏👏👏

[@captainreggae99]

There's so much soul and passion in his playing. My absolute favorite saxophone player of all time.

[@Josephduganmusic]

Mind bending having this sufjan inspired blues

[@JoeMoreg]

I thought the first song was "Clocks" for a second... ;-) Wonderful performance!

[@coucousimon]

I can't stop staring at this Blue Note hat.

[@zakbarbezat]

it's fire

[@jonbermanmusic]

Right ? Can’t find it

[@NJdaniels96]

I first heard about Joshua Redman when he guest starred on PBS Kids' Arthur with Yo Yo Ma.

[@tmh44]

Was introduced to Redman's "Wish" album in the 90s by my dad...I was 9 years old but it left a huge impression--I now find myself deeply into jazz and listening daily, particularly to sax and trumpet. Thanks, pops, hope you're well wherever you are

[@matth6932]

Beautiful addition with Gabrielle. Great session!

[@ChuckSilva]

My heart is full….thank you!❤🔥

[@elliotselmon7581]

SO... I'm late!! I'm now aJoshua Redman fan, and the young lady singing with him has an AWESOME voice!! ❤️💕❤️

[@arada6655]

Yes, I'm also discovering his music with this incredible performance and that last album is beautiful all the way.

[@GaiaRaga]

Her voice is heart stopping

[@D-KAL-KDZ]

In case you’re wondering, her name is Gabrielle Cavassa

[@elliotselmon7581]

@@D-KAL-KDZ Was DEFINITELY wondering, thank you SO much for that. Her voice is AWESOME!!

[@pede1959]

Love Joshua Redman’s music since first seeing him almost 30y ago in Germany. Have seen him just last weekend with this band. They delivered a beautiful performance. I believe that Gabrielle’s voice and Joshua’s sax playing really mesh well. My favorite is Chicago Blues. It is how Gabrielle and Joshua play this that makes the magic.

[@yonatanyitzhaki4786]

Amen!!! Tiny desk just know who to get on!!🎉

[@johnsongobbler]

Philip Norris is one of the best bass players ive ever seen.

[@umarwali7184]

She reminds me of Mingus album Joni Mitchell...Joshua is always on point..great band behind him

[@JamesKennedy-ns8ie]

Going to Pensacola/ Saenger tomorrow nite to see this group

[@mtiedemann11]

Another fantastic musical introduction from TD. Thank you. America's complexities could indeed benefit from medication 😉. This is a terrific dose. The power of "After Minneapolis" - wow.

[@sunrises3806]

I've always loved the music of Joshua Redman and his various accompaniments. I bought the "Wish" album back in the late 90's, and Elastic while studying music in my college days. At those times, all the know-it-alls told me I should be listening to Michael Brecker, who, of course I listened to - just like Charlie Parker and John Coltrane. But Joshua Redman's music always held a special place in my heart. I think it's because he's never just "riffing", there is a genuine emotional connotation behind all the lines he plays. Molten Soul is a great example. Thanks again, Joshua and musical members, for another inspiring musical performance.

[@peterolsson3662]

A great Band and Joshua Redman is one of the very best contemporary Tenor Players in my opinion.

[@blindcanseemusic]

Saxophone is gold. The rest is just as amazing

[@narwalluvr]

this just awoke a deep part of my brain because I saw the title and immediately thought "he was on arthur!!"

[@TheSuccessfulHuman]

One of my most fond memories is playing duo with Joshua in Harvard Square years ago.

[@boydx4687]

Great intro to "After Minneapolis." These are marvelous musicians. They listen to each other and they each have so much to say.

[@carmick72]

Dearest Dustin thank you so much. Redmond is wonderful and I know how much you love him ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Zencoder720]

I like the very easy listening with these tracks, and the present simplicity of everything going on. It almost doesn't feel like jazz in some ways. I am sure that in fact the music is more complicated than what is presented here on the surface.

[@bshayc79]

This sounds amazing in my car speakers right now

[@Suburban_dad]

Give it a listen on some really nice headphones. Another level.

[@jordanhal2814]

He has such a thoughtful & genuine approach to the music. And he’s a really nice person, to boot. In the early to mid 90s, I had the good fortune to interview him for a small “alternative” newspaper I worked for at the time.

[@lawrenceisrael7418]

Likes the paper clip on the ride cymbal, the music pretty darn snappy too.

[@sixteenman]

Great musicians they all, specially Joshua Redman. He has on my opinion, the most important thing can have a musician: a lot of musicality. He is able to play in a very modern lenguaje but makin' sing his horn at the same time. What he plays is always alive, full of sense, no exercices, simply music.

[@KingKongovOtec]

We need Joshua Redman & Redman collabo

[@SheanaLoveLee]

Saw him at the old Trumpets in Montclair NJ many many years ago. Love Joshua

[@jamesdiazcomposer]

More of this, please! Kudos to all the folks involved!

[@newlife9606]

Individually, and as a collective they all made a beautiful moment. Thank you NPR

[@alhomicz398]

🙂Just can't help the smile this brings to my ears while listening to this! ❤👏

[@allegro_manontroppo]

What a fabulous lineup, you are amazing. Thank you so much.

[@chefkevinpenner5869]

Fantastic!

[@olivierherment1188]

Thank you

[@khadijad2427]

loveeeeeee 🙏🏾

[@TheMonsterbed75]

perfect way to start my morning with a nice cup of joe, glazed donut, and birds chriping outside my window

[@taijazvidfish]

Wow! Just wow!!

[@MatSmithLondon]

Saw JR live in London in the 90s and basically grew up musically listening to his music. Lovely gig at RFH last year. His first Tiny Desk was the first time I've ever seen a video recording of him. Such a good performance. He is a legend. I still adore his album Spirit of the Moment live at the Village Vanguard.

[@genosiegelli5237]

Oh this is wonderful! ❤

Great one !

[@VoidMaker407]

this was amazing

[@sidhaantagarwal793]

Fantastic recording

[@LucasBielski]

Meu favorito no jazz, o homem não erra.

[@elijahrosen7141]

Incredible

[@alberplatz1285]

Espere mucho este tiny desk! Joshua es lo mas

[@MrMattcorbett]

Saw these guy in Barcelona last year, incredible stuff!

[@Oliver-yr2ed]

crazy good!!

[@fumanchu1977]

This video is such a gift!

[@jeremieKayou]

Tanks Tiny Desk, now I know I needed them today !

[@gwendolynburns1456]

omg his voice is so smooth too

[@errickalewis72]

Excellent

[@lucastobonsax]

OMG!! The best i ever heard this year! wonderful interpretation! this is really, really artistic, beautiful! congratulations!

[@jimiwat8661]

Bravo & merci !! Content de revoir ce Josh ☝​​👍​😉​

[@schectermf350]

Fantastic bass and drum work. Incredible space between all the players too. Beautiful.

[@divertrecords]

Hello from Prague, nice music, thanks.

[@rruesz]

So sweet!! Love it Thanks

[@BloomBat]

Oh, this is very refreshing, love those chords progression !

[@littledomi75]

Realy nice, Joshua Redman again amazing on Sax & charmant talk. I know, he have a lot of techniques. But on this Selmer Tenor Sax, the fingers was litteraly fall with grace like water. And breath so impress. Save & play on it, dear Joshua.