The Bad Plus Joshua Redman

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Release Date
DescriptionExcerpt

The Bad Plus Joshua Redman is the debut album from the eponymous quartet. Seven of the album's nine tracks are new compositions by quartet members. "The album is a knockout," exclaims the New York Times. "It is impressive how much vital presence [Joshua Redman] brings to the Bad Plus without altering the band’s dynamic." It's "a roaring and beautiful summit meeting," says NPR. "The ideas are impressive by themselves, but become more powerful as Redman and the rhythm section go about developing them ... [T]he real triumph of The Bad Plus Joshua Redman: It exhibits genuinely fresh thinking."

Description

"The Bad Plus (plus one) roared as if a quartet were always lying just beneath its surface." —Los Angeles Times

In 2011, The Bad Plus invited saxophonist Joshua Redman to join them for a week of enthusiastically received performances at the Blue Note in New York City. They then played a handful of dates before heading into the studio in 2014 to record their debut album, The Bad Plus Joshua Redman, which Nonesuch releases on May 26, 2015 (June 8 outside of North America). Seven of the nine tracks on The Bad Plus Joshua Redman are new compositions by the quartet members who include saxophonist Joshua Redman and The Bad Plus bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Ethan Iverson, and drummer David King. The other two songs on the album, "Dirty Blonde" and "Silence Is the Question," are new arrangements of Bad Plus favorites.

Of a recent show in Great Barrington, MA, Albany’s Metroland said, "The newly christened Bad Plus Joshua Redman took the stage … and proceeded to raise the roof. In a word, the music the quartet produces is sublime. More than that, it's as though Redman is the long-lost fourth member of the group, just waiting to be snapped snugly into place." 

The Bad Plus has almost exclusively performed as a trio for its nearly 20-year existence. Guests occasionally join the band in concert, but only one of their previous 10 albums has included a fourth member. Redman, however, has long enjoyed mixing his musical partners. He has collaborated with Brian Blade, Christian McBride, Brad Mehldau, and Pat Metheny, as well as with the SFJAZZ Collective and his bandmates in James Farm.

"On the live gigs, Josh plays magnificent, long tenor solos which are very much in the jazz tradition," said Iverson. "That’s obviously not the focus when we play as The Bad Plus. It’s fun to for us to enjoy that extended blowing territory, especially with someone as great as Josh. On the album, however, there is still a focus on composition."

Anderson told Minneapolis’ Star Tribune: "Josh is a professional of the highest order. He came in knowing our music to the point of memorizing it, with great, positive energy."

Redman adds, "Playing with The Bad Plus has allowed me to explore a part of my playing, and my musical heritage, that I’ve never before accessed in quite the same way with any other group. The adventure with The Bad Plus pushes me toward the fringes and draws me into the core."

ProductionCredits

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by The Bad Plus Joshua Redman
Recorded and Mixed by Pete Rende at Brooklyn Recording
Mastered by Huntley Miller at HM Mastering
Production Coordination by Courtney Hawkes & Chris Hinderaker

David King plays Rat Rod Drums, Zildjian cymbals and Vic Firth Sticks

Photographs by David Jacobs
Artwork and Design by Greg Meyers and David King

Nonesuch Selection Number

548920

ns_album_releasedate
Album Status
Artist Name
The Bad Plus
Joshua Redman
MusicianDetails

MUSICIANS
Reid Anderson, bass
Ethan Iverson, piano
David King, drums
Joshua Redman, tenor saxophone

Cover Art
UPC/Price
Label
CD+MP3
UPC
075597951332
Label
MP3
Price
10.00
UPC
075597951387
Label
FLAC
Price
11.00
UPC
075597951356
Label
96/24 HD FLAC
Price
16.00
UPC
075597951370
  • 548920

News & Reviews

  • The nominations for the Edison Klassiek and Jazz Awards in the Netherlands have been announced, including four Nonesuch recordings: Julia Bullock’s Walking in the Dark for Solo Vocal in the Klassiek awards; Mary Halvorson’s Belladonna and Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade’s LongGone for Jazz International Instrumental; and Cécile McLorin Salvant’s Mélusine for Jazz International Vocal—the award she won last year for her Nonesuch debut album, Ghost Song.

  • Congratulations to the Jazz Journalists Association's 2023 JJA Jazz Awards nominees, including Mary Halvorson for Jazz Musician of the Year, Composer of the Year, and Guitarist of the Year, as well as Album Art of the Year for Amaryllis and Belladonna; Cécile McLorin Salvant for Female Vocalist of the Year and Record of the Year for Ghost Song; Brad Mehldau for Pianist of the Year; and the LongGone quartet of Joshua Redman, Mehldau, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade for Midsize Ensemble of the Year. Winners will be announced on May 17.

  • About This Album

    "The Bad Plus (plus one) roared as if a quartet were always lying just beneath its surface." —Los Angeles Times

    In 2011, The Bad Plus invited saxophonist Joshua Redman to join them for a week of enthusiastically received performances at the Blue Note in New York City. They then played a handful of dates before heading into the studio in 2014 to record their debut album, The Bad Plus Joshua Redman, which Nonesuch releases on May 26, 2015 (June 8 outside of North America). Seven of the nine tracks on The Bad Plus Joshua Redman are new compositions by the quartet members who include saxophonist Joshua Redman and The Bad Plus bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Ethan Iverson, and drummer David King. The other two songs on the album, "Dirty Blonde" and "Silence Is the Question," are new arrangements of Bad Plus favorites.

    Of a recent show in Great Barrington, MA, Albany’s Metroland said, "The newly christened Bad Plus Joshua Redman took the stage … and proceeded to raise the roof. In a word, the music the quartet produces is sublime. More than that, it's as though Redman is the long-lost fourth member of the group, just waiting to be snapped snugly into place." 

    The Bad Plus has almost exclusively performed as a trio for its nearly 20-year existence. Guests occasionally join the band in concert, but only one of their previous 10 albums has included a fourth member. Redman, however, has long enjoyed mixing his musical partners. He has collaborated with Brian Blade, Christian McBride, Brad Mehldau, and Pat Metheny, as well as with the SFJAZZ Collective and his bandmates in James Farm.

    "On the live gigs, Josh plays magnificent, long tenor solos which are very much in the jazz tradition," said Iverson. "That’s obviously not the focus when we play as The Bad Plus. It’s fun to for us to enjoy that extended blowing territory, especially with someone as great as Josh. On the album, however, there is still a focus on composition."

    Anderson told Minneapolis’ Star Tribune: "Josh is a professional of the highest order. He came in knowing our music to the point of memorizing it, with great, positive energy."

    Redman adds, "Playing with The Bad Plus has allowed me to explore a part of my playing, and my musical heritage, that I’ve never before accessed in quite the same way with any other group. The adventure with The Bad Plus pushes me toward the fringes and draws me into the core."

    Credits

    MUSICIANS
    Reid Anderson, bass
    Ethan Iverson, piano
    David King, drums
    Joshua Redman, tenor saxophone

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Produced by The Bad Plus Joshua Redman
    Recorded and Mixed by Pete Rende at Brooklyn Recording
    Mastered by Huntley Miller at HM Mastering
    Production Coordination by Courtney Hawkes & Chris Hinderaker

    David King plays Rat Rod Drums, Zildjian cymbals and Vic Firth Sticks

    Photographs by David Jacobs
    Artwork and Design by Greg Meyers and David King