Jazz breaking news: Joshua Redman announced as Wigmore Hall Jazz Series curator
Friday, October 12, 2012
Acclaimed US saxophonist Joshua Redman (pictured, left) has been confirmed as the new Jazz Series curator at London’s prestigious Wigmore Hall.
This appointment follows on from pianist Brad Mehldau’s successful two-year tenure which saw him perform alongside opera singer Anne Sofie von Otter, bluegrass mandolin star Chris Thile, and singer songwriter Joe Henry.
Redman kicks off his series in dramatic fashion on Friday 2 November, appearing with a stellar newly-formed a cappella sax group, the Axis Saxophone Quartet, which features tenorist of the moment Chris Potter, and top New York sax stars Mark Turner and Chris Cheek. This all-star four-piece will perform standards and newly arranged material from each member. Redman maintains this high benchmark with two more concerts next year – the first on 1 February features another intriguing and impressive line up of Argentinian composer and bandleader Guillermo Klein on a rare UK live date, pianist Aaron Goldberg and saxophonists Chris Cheek and Miguel Zenón. This virtuosic ensemble explores jazz and folk melodies across complex compositions and arrangements inspired by Messiaen and Ligeti.
The series continues with a striking duo concert on 11 May, between Redman and top US jazz bassist Christian McBride. The pair have worked together several times since the saxophonist emerged in the early-1990s, with McBride part of the Joshua Redman Quartet that toured his superb second solo album, Wish, that featured both Pat Metheny and Charlie Haden on the recording, while Redman returned the favour by appearing on McBride’s 1993 album Getting’ To It. The bassist also appeared on Redman’s 2007 Nonesuch album, Back East, a rhythm-section-led project also featuring three other bass-and-drums pairings of Larry Grenadier with Ali Jackson, McBride with Brian Blade, and Reuben Rogers and Eric Harland. This rare duo date between Redman and McBride will be a great chance to hear these two modern masters in the rarefied, all-acoustic setting of the Wigmore Hall is so renowned for.
For more info go to www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
– Mike Flynn