Joshua Redman Releases New Single “So IT Goes”

Joshua Redman has released “So It Goes,” the second single to be revealed from his forthcoming Blue Note album, Words Fall Short, a collection of original compositions out June 20 that serves as the introduction of his new quartet with pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Philip Norris, and drummer Nazir Ebo. Featuring Redman’s labelmate Melissa Aldana, “So It Goes” is an energetic musical conversation between two modern masters of the tenor saxophone.

“I was sort of struggling with the melody to ‘So It Goes’, and immediately thought of Melissa, who has such a gift for lyrical expression… the way she uses breath and air and contour to really give melodies shape and make them come alive,” says Redman. “I sent her the tune… and once I knew she was game, I began to rethink the overall approach as more conversational.” As to the assumption that any encounter between two tenors is a ‘battle,’ he adds that “I’ve never been a fan of that sort of thing. I realize of course that it’s part of the so-called ‘tradition.’ So, yeah, I’ll bring my axe if I must, but I prefer to come in peace! I really feel like what Melissa and I created here is the antithesis of conflict.”

Redman acknowledges that the new album title could be viewed ironically—his previous project, where are we, was his first to feature a vocalist (Gabrielle Cavassa, who makes a special guest appearance on the new recording)—yet Words Fall Short is anything but a comment on the saxophonist’s prior effort. More accurately, his latest offering is an organic next step, a collection of previously unheard originals brought to life by inspiring new collaborators. “This album came out of a working environment that inspired me to dig into compositions that hadn’t found a home yet.”

In building a new rhythm section to tour where are we, Redman found himself drawn to younger players he had recently encountered. Norris and Ebo came aboard first, and Redman quickly knew he had made the right moves. “Not since Christian McBride can I recall experiencing an acoustic jazz bassist who seemingly has it all together at such a young age,” he says of Norris, “and Nazir has groove in spades, a groove that is super-flexible, in the flow of the moment, and with an innate sense of architecture that always serves the song.” By the summer of 2023, Cornish had completed the quartet’s transformation. “Paul is the perfect balance of empath and contrarian, challenging everyone to break away from established patterns, while still always making the music feel good and natural in the moment.”

Cornish, Norris, and Ebo impress on each of the album’s eight tracks. While they have moments to emerge and take the spotlight, they also provide a distinctive ensemble personality, one in which spontaneity and sensitivity keep the music fluid yet coherent. They are a rhythm section with character, one in sync with the priorities of their leader. “My approach to bandleading is unchanged,” Redman says. “Play with the best musicians I can find, virtuosos who have mastered all the different jazz vocabularies, but who are also great listeners and collaborators — who know how to express their individual brilliance through group improvisation and collective interaction.”

Redman will be celebrating the album release with shows at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City from June 20-22, with additional tour dates across the U.S. and Europe this summer. Visit joshuaredman.com for more information.

from www.bluenote.com