Number 63 January 24, 2011

Joshua Redman at Zellerbach last Saturday was a delight.  Influenced, perhaps in equal amounts, by his father Dewey Redman , and John Coltrane, he was supported, and inspired by Aaron Goldberg on piano, Reginald Veal on bass, and Gregory Hutchinson on drums.  Along with Ravi Coltrane, he has grown and matured into a leader of his generation.  It was very interesting, and inspiring to me, that while the appraoch was very classic (almost all of the notes could have been played in the late 1950's or early 60's) the emotion and projection was very fresh and modern.  Summertime and Body and Soul were in the 90 minute set.  An original funk tune with a catchy melodic minor hook was the sole contemporary groove.  But Hutchinson can make anything sound fresh and forward.  Berkeley is Joshua's hometown, and he played to a loving and sold out audience.