Joshua Redman Trio Launches Irish Tour; James Farm to Tour Europe in November

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Aaron Parks, Brad Mehldau Trio, Eric Harland, Gregory Hutchinson, Ireland, Joshua Redman, Matt Penman, Nonesuch Records, Reuben Rogers, The Bad Plus, Wigmore Hall Jazz Series

Joshua Redman

Following his recent European tour with The Bad Plus, Joshua Redman has arrived in Ireland with the Joshua Redman Trio, featuring Reuben Rogers on bass and Gregory Hutchinson on drums, to launch its Irish tour with a concert at The Button Factory in Dublin tonight. The five-day, five-city tour includes stops in Limerick, Cork, Dún Laoghaire, as well as a show at The Mac in Belfast, Northern Ireland. See below for all of Redman’s currently scheduled tour dates; for additional details and ticket links, go to nonesuch.com/on-tour.

Flux Jazz Essentials for 2011?

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African American, Ambrose Akinmusire, Bass, Ben Williams, Christian Scott, David Binney, David Sanchez, Drums, Eric Harland, Fabian Almazan, Female Vocalist, Flux Jazz Essentials 2011, Flux Music Essentials, Gerald Clayton, Gretchen Parlato, Hiromi, Itai Kriss, Joshua Redman, Miguel Zenón, Miles Español, Piano, Rez Abbasi, Saxophone, Sean Jones, Stefon Harris, Terri Lyne Carrington, Trumpet, Yellowjackets

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to my fellow jazz enthusiasts, as always it’s great to be with you. Although, it’s been an extremely stressful year economically and politically for so many globally I’m thankful regardless for those of us who are still here despite the mayhem that’s currently causing all this strife and pain. With that said, as a optimist times like this has a tendency to draw us closer to our love ones, make new friends and on the entertainment side of the spectrum expand our music collection to give us a positive outlet to delve into. In this case, as music goes so far this has been an exceptional year jazz wise. Therefore, this among many reasons led me to return and share with you a few of my favorite jazz albums that I stumbled into this year. If you haven’t, I hope that you find time to listen some of these titles (their well worth your effort). If not, please share with us some of your favorite recordings you’ve embraced this year. Thanks in advance, I’ll be delighted to hear from you!

The following selections in no particular order are some of my favorite Jazz albums for 2011!

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In my absence, I appreciate those of you who drop by and followed me on Twitter at your convince. One thing for sure, I plan to return in the near future to continue sharing with you some of the finest jazz, news, and reviews available.

Until then, take care and God bless.

Rob Young |The Urban Flux [… is jazz with abstract xpressions shaped by vibrant and unique voices!]

James Farm [|] Moods – Zurich | 04.02.2010 (Video)

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Aaron Parks, Eric Harland, James Farm, Jazz, Joshua Redman, Matt Penman

Greeting jazz lovers, it’s great to be back with you on this fabulous Monday. Today, I’m going to share with you one of the hottest videos out right now by James Farm featuring Joshua Redman, Aaron Parks, Matt Penman and Eric Harland captured live in Zurich (04.02.2010). Their self-titled debut recording on Nonesuch Records is due tomorrow (4/26/2011), this is definitely one I intend on picking up.

..:: SOURCE: YouTube.com ::..

Nonesuch Releases Jazz Quartet James Farm’s Self-Titled Debut Album on April 26

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Aaron Parks, Eric Harland, Jazz, Joshua Redman, Matt Penman

Pictured from left to right: Matt Penman, Joshua Redman, Aaron Parks and Eric Harland

JAMES FARM

James Farm is a collaborative band featuring saxophonist Joshua Redman, pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland. The band uses traditional acoustic jazz quartet instrumentation for its song-based approach to jazz and incorporates the members’ myriad of influences: rock, soul, folk, classical, and electronica, among many others. Nonesuch releases the band’s self-titled debut album on April 26, 2011.

Penman says of the group, “James Farm is where we pool our collective knowledge, let run the best of our ideas arising from our varied musical influences, while acknowledging substantial common ground—a love of jazz, a fascination with song and structure, an obsession with groove, and a receptivity to contemporary influences. A band where we can be creative composers and improvisers, in step with the rhythm of the times, constantly evolving.”

SFJAZZ Collective and Joshua Redman To Perform At 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon

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Jazz, Joshua Redman, SFJAZZ Collective

PORTLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL-2011

SFJAZZ Collective and Joshua Redman are set to perform at the 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival Presented by US Bank. The eight-piece all-star ensemble, SFJAZZ Collective, will present the world-premiere of repertoire from “SFJAZZ Collective Plays Stevie Wonder” on Saturday, February 26 at 7:30pm. Joshua Redman – the founder and former leader of the SFJAZZ Collective – will showcase his quartet on Sunday, February 27 at 2pm. Both performances will take place at the Newmark Theatre (inside the PCPA’s Antoinette Hatfield Hall).

SFJAZZ Collective Band

SFJAZZ Collective annually looks back and re-arranges famous compositions of jazz masters from Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane to Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner. Featuring alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón, tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, trombonist Robin Eubanks, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, pianist Edward Simon, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland, the ensemble’s performance will debut new material: “SFJAZZ Collective Plays Stevie Wonder.” A Motown Records star at age 11, Stevie released a string of classic albums in the 1970s that fused elements of his roots from the soul music scene in Detroit with R&B, jazz, and reggae. The Collective will perform at the Newmark Theater on Saturday, February 26 at 7:30pm.

Listen to exclusive streaming tracks of the SFJAZZ Collective

Joshua Redman

Redman, who originally founded and led the SFJAZZ Collective, is one of the most acclaimed and charismatic jazz artists to have emerged in the decade of the 1990s. The son of legendary African American saxophonist Dewey Redman and Jewish American dancer Renee Shedroff, he has performed with such esteemed artists as Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and Brad Mehldau, as well as a new working quartet, “James Farm,” which infuses traditional acoustic jazz quartet instrumentation with a progressive attitude and modern sound. In Portland, Redman will showcase his storied group – the “Joshua Redman Quartet” – featuring pianist Aaron Goldberg and SFJAZZ Collective rhythm section, bassist Penman and drummer Harland. Redman will perform at the Newmark Theater on Sunday, February 27 at 2pm.

Listen to an exclusive streaming track of Joshua Redman

SFJAZZ Collective
Saturday, February 26 at 7:30pm

Joshua Redman
Sunday, February 27 at 2pm

Newmark Theatre (inside the PCPA’s Antoinette Hatfield Hall)
31111 SW Broadway (at Main Street)
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 248-4335

To purchase tickets online, visit TicketMaster.com

To purchase tickets via phone or in person, please call the PDX Jazz office at 503-228-JAZZ (5299), or visit the PDX Jazz office at 133 SW Second Avenue, Suite 420.

For more info on what The 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival Presented by US Bank has to offer, please visit: http://www.pdxjazz.com

..:: SOURCE: http://www.pdxjazz.com ::..

Portland Jazz Festival 2011 Announced

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African American, Don Byron, Esperanza Spalding, Joshua Redman, Portland Jazz Festival 2011 Announced, Randy Weston, Regina Carter

Portland Jazz Festival 2011

SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE, REGINA CARTER, DON BYRON,
THE 3 COHENS, RANDY WESTON, JOSHUA REDMAN,
AND ESPERANZA SPALDING
TO HEADLINE THE 2011 PORTLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL

BRIDGES AND BOUNDARIES:
JEWISH & AFRICAN AMERICANS PLAYING JAZZ TOGETHER

The 2011 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Portland Jazz Festival presented by US Bank will be held Friday, February 18 through Sunday, February 27 at venues throughout Portland. The week-long festival will include jazz education and outreach along with a series of concerts all supporting the 2011 theme, Bridges and Boundaries: Jewish & African Americans Playing Jazz Together.

Among this year’s headliners are the SFJAZZ Collective, in the world premiere of new repertoire paying homage to African American pop icon Stevie Wonder; NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston, performing solo piano in support of his new release, The Storyteller, and autobiography, African Rhythms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston; celebrated clarinetist Don Byron and his new project dedicated to the great Jewish entertainer, Mickey Katz – a reunion of the groundbreaking and virtuosic klezmer ensemble that recorded Byron’s eponymous Nonesuch album and spearheaded the klezmer revival in the 1990s; a special performance by The 3 Cohens, featuring siblings, trumpeter Avishai Cohen, saxophonist/clarinetist Anat Cohen, and pianist Yuval Cohen; famed African American violinist Regina Carter will return to Portland, presenting her newest project, Reverse Thread, which traces the musical history of African cultures, including tribes of Ugandan Jews; saxophonist Joshua Redman – son of African American saxophonist Dewey Redman and Jewish American dancer Renee Shedroff – leading his new project, James Farm, that includes both African American and Jewish American musicians; and the Portland Jazz Festival’s new Artistic & Community Ambassador, bassist Esperanza Spalding (who will lead her new Chamber Music Society in an exclusive Portland area engagement).

Flux Music [Jazz] Essentials … [Redman, Metheny & Humphrey]

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African Amercian, Bobbi Humphrey, Jazz, Joshua Redman, Pat Metheny

Flux Music Essentials

Greeting’s jazz connoisseurs, it’s great to return with another intriguing palette of creative music from some of today’s most unique, adventurous and inspiring voices known and unknown artists alike in the world of jazz.

Joshua Redman - Beyond

Joshua Redman -][- Beyond – [Warner Bros, 2000]

mr. redman gives us an outstanding jazz session on this album. the first three tracks (“courage,” “belonging,” and “neverend”) draw us into a solid neo-bop atmosphere. mr. redman has obviously grasped the lessons of the masters. one hears the echoes of sonny rollins, dexter gordon, and hank mobley as mr. redman weaves and dances through these songs. all the while, though, mr. redman continues to give us his own voice. he swings and sings throughout the album with high energy. the album really hits it stride on the lengthier selections in the middle (“leap of faith,” “balance” and “twilight”). here we get to hear mr. redman stretch out and never meander, never lose focus as he developes his themes with style and grace. moreover, his support really shines through. aaron goldberg is a find on piano. just dig his soloes and comping throughout, you’ll want to find more by him. also, hearing mr. redman and mark turner together is a real treat (“leap of faith”). finally, mr. redman shows his mastery of all the major saxes. his work on alto and soprano throughout are outstanding. the only gripe is that i wish he would dabble with some of the adventuresome spirit of his father, dewey redman. son joshua obviously has the ability to explore, it’d be nice to hear the results. —p dizzle | Amazon.com

Flux Music [Jazz] Essentials … [Hargrove, Redman, Goldings, Crusaders & Valentin]

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African American, Crusaders, Jazz, Joshua Redman, Larry Goldings, Roy Hargrove

Greeting’s jazz connoisseurs, I’m back to showcase another tasty review of who’s who in the world of jazz from the shelves of “Flux Music Essentials.”

Flux Music Essentials

Roy Hargrove - Nothing Serious (Verve, 2006)

Roy Hargrove -][- Nothing Serious – [Verve, 2006]

… releases by Hargrove out now is another stellar turn at just how remarkable and inventive and vibrant a band leader he is. DISTRACTIONS is a great fun record, this is a powerhouse of intricate turns on jazz standard style music, with a subtlety and a dynamism that often gets buried by those attempting to preserve the “purity of jazz.” Whatever that is.

In Hargrove’s case, the point is shut up and play. And does he ever! In so doing he has assembled a group of colleagues who still have something to prove within a given context – i.e. that this context can still matter vitally to how you consider your life. And while it is ironically titled, his irony underscores the accomplishments he has effected with this terrific release. You’ll like everything about this: it was recorded nearly perfectly – the definition among the players is clear. The music reaches over and pulls you into its confidence, and you will find yourself coming away from the experience beaming with ideas. This is a truly inspirational effort and without making any more of it, let’s just say that God help us all if Roy gets real serious. —o dubhthaigh | Amazon.com

Flux Music Essentials … [Redman, Scott, Glasper, Steps Ahead, & Sample]

Tags

African American, Christian Scott, Jazz, Joe Sample, Joshua Redman, Robert Glasper, Steps Ahead

Flux Music Essentials

Greetings jazz aficionados, I’m back once again this time with five spellbinding jazz titles from the shelves of Flux Music Essentials! The following recordings fit perfectly into the mold of what I view as being the usual suspects … at least from my perspective. Pull’em off the rack and take them for a spin. Although similar in context, these gems where originally recorded to create an atmosphere with just enough complex nuances and innovation painted on the canvas to make these jewels a worthwhile listening experience.

Joshua Redman Quartet - Moodswing

Joshua Redman Quartet -|- Moodswing – [Warner Bros, 1994]

This recording in my opinion is the freshest and finest work that Joshua Redman has produced. Considering that the band make-up of Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride and Brian Blade are three of the baddest young jazz musicians today, they have also become major band leaders in their own right. I think this was the recording that set them all on their way. The songs vary from melodic to sonically intense. McBride and Blade blaze a rhythmic trail followed by the creative yet subtle piano stylings of Mehldau, all giving way to the superior improvisational skills of Redman. The songs seem almost lyrical in their expression. Whether you are a Joshua Redman fan, or someone who has never experienced his music before, this is the beginning (although he had two prior quality releases prior) of the spectacular career of one of the finest tenor sax players of these times…

Joshua Redman Quartet | MoodSwing

Tags

African American, Jazz, Joshua Redman, Saxophone

MoodSwing, from the onset the young and gifted saxophonist named Joshua Redman unveils the goods treating each note with grace, purpose and arranges these wonderful compositions with an enriched passion while he flirts successfully with lyrical finesse. Funny thing, critics dare to compare Redman with his rivals engaging negatively by insisting that he hasn’t come full circle into a place as many of his contemporaries have supposedly arrived. Nonsense, as I listen to him play his horn he’s obviously not Coltrane … nor is he trying to emulated his sound. Therefore, on this session Joshua as expected pours out his very soul to evoke a fresh spirit into the creative musings on a tapestry appropriately titled “MoodSwing.” ~ The Urban Flux

Joshua Redman Quartet | MoodSwing – [Warner Bros, 1994]

Joshua Redman Quartet, MoodSwing

This recording in my opinion is the freshest and finest work that Joshua Redman has produced. Considering that the band make-up of Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride and Brian Blade are three of the baddest young jazz musicians today, they have also become major band leaders in their own right. I think this was the recording that set them all on their way. The songs vary from melodic to sonically intense. McBride and Blade blaze a rhythmic trail followed by the creative yet subtle piano stylings of Mehldau, all giving way to the superior improvisational skills of Redman. The songs seem almost lyrical in their expression. Whether you are a Joshua Redman fan, or someone who has never experienced his music before, this is the beginning (although he had two prior quality releases prior) of the spectacular career of one of the finest tenor sax players of these times… —Greg Randolph

Source: Amazon.com