Come and spend an evening with one of today's best jazz musicians, saxophonist Joshua Redman and his quartet, when he performs in concert at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Friday, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m. Redman continues to explore new musical territory with his swinging and soulful style.

Hailed as the "crown prince of the tenor saxophone" by the Associated Press, Redman has enjoyed a meteoric rise in both commercial and critical success since he won the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Competition in 1991. The son of tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman, he burst on to the jazz scene in 1993 with his self-titled debut album "Joshua Redman" which, combined with "Wish," sold over a quarter of a million copies.

He followed with such superb offerings as: "Moodswing" (1994), "Spirit of the Moment: Live at the Village Vanguard" (1995), "Freedom in the Groove" (1996) and "Timeless Tales (For Changing Times)" (1998). On his latest Warner Brothers CD, "Beyond," the 31-year-old Redman offers further proof that he's once again reaching, finding his footing and playing at the top of his game.

On his latest CD, Redman unveils ten originals that are both compelling in their complexity and alluring in their unadorned beauty. The key to "Beyond's" success is the group of musicians Redman assembled for the recording: pianist Aaron Goldberg, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. All will join him at the Quick Center.

"We found a common ground to express ourselves as individuals within a group," says Redman. "It's all about camaraderie, chemistry, creativity and commitment. It was my goal to make this album a statement of our collective identity, so I conceived all these songs with Aaron, Reuben and Greg in mind."

That is evident in the music. While one musician is in the solo spotlight, the rest of the band plays more than just a supportive role. "There's an instrumental give-and-take and shadowing that keeps the music fluid and spontaneous," says Redman. The underlying theme of "Beyond" is Redman's personal quest to come to grips with the spiritual significance of life. "All of the songs are musical explorations of a search for meaning," he explains.

Tickets for the Joshua Redman concert are $35, $30, with discounts available for seniors, students and groups. For tickets or information call (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. You may also visit our web site at www.quickcenter.com.

Posted On: 09-01-2001 09:09 AM

Volume: 34 Number: 66