Back East

Following tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins's landmark albums WAY OUT WEST and FREEDOM SUITE, the sax-bass-drums trio context became de rigueur in jazz. With his brisk, hearty tone and very forward-looking approach, tenor ace Joshua Redman pays tribute to Sonny and comparable tenor triumphs (by Wayne Shorter, Stan Getz, etc.) with performances from three different trios. But BACK EAST is no exercise in nostalgia, as Redman realizes the best homage is to put a fresh, personal spin on lessons learned.It's a lot of creative directions for one album to contain, let alone develop; pairings like the jaunty " The Surrey With the Fringe on Top" that opens the recording, with the spare and hypnotic soprano sax line that anchors "Zarafah," make this something of a tapas plate for jazz omnivores

Joshua Redman is the MAN!!!! I love the sax!!!! JAAAAZZZZ!!!!!

Josh is one of my favorites for pushing the envelope and not being stuck in the traditionist rut of jazz... this album looks back at the Rollins type trio settings (even doing some of the tunes from the classic Rollins albums) but looks forward as to interpretation and approach. This, combined with the Elastic albums (a must have) show that Josh is pushing forward, continually trying to make jazz a more viable art form.

I had searched high and low on the internet trying to find Redman's recording of "Zarafah," after hearing him play it at the Hollywood Bowl. That was the highlight of the night for me. Now it's finally available. I recommend that if you're just looking at this page wondering what to expect, listen to the previews.

Although it was Brad Mehldau--at least in recent years--who coined the phrase "the art of the trio," Redman could easily have done so as well, but for his desire to collaborate with different types of sounds and ensembles. In Back East, Redman demonstrates his melodic and harmonic talents vis-a-vis the bass and drum saxophone trio. Prior to this release, Redman has only documented this side of himself in small snipits (e.g., "Trinkle Tinkle," from his debut WB release, "Moose the Mooche," from his sophomore effort Wish), despite the fact that he toured extensively with a trio compising Christian McBride and Brian Blade in the years immediately following the Freedom in the Groove tour in 1996-97. For anyone who was privileged enough to see that tour (which, by the way, also opened up with Redman's trio-ized Miles Davis standard "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top"), Back East is a must have. Back East puts Joshua Redman on center stage--where he belongs--and also allows him to showcase his maturity and longevity, since breaking onto the jazz scene more than 16 years ago as a "young lion." In case it wasn't already clear, Redman has earned his eternal place in jazz lore. Back East also pairs the grown-up Joshua Redman with his late father Dewey Redman, something that hasn't been documented since Josh was barely more than a teenager.

Joshua Redman has grown to a unique style,where as he combine different rhythmic, melodies and harmonic sound.Making himself as one of the best saxopone players of his generation.We here on this album were Joshua has so many sound going through his mind that he include others saxophone players with him to get to the level of intensity.Joshua also has the help from the greatest jazzmen,he give us a revise composition by John Coltrane India with the help of Dewey Redman making this a four star recording.