The members of the original Joshua Redman Quartet—Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade—who reunite for the upcoming album RoundAgain, met up for a conversation about the project, their first recording together since 1994’s MoodSwing. They shared stories from their long history together while at the Falcon in upstate New York for a performance last fall. You can watch the conversation here, along with previously released performances of two RoundAgain tracks from the concert.
The members of the original Joshua Redman Quartet—Redman (saxophone), Brad Mehldau (piano), Christian McBride (bass), and Brian Blade (drums)—who reunite for the upcoming album RoundAgain, met up for a conversation about the project, their first recording together since 1994’s MoodSwing. They shared stories from their long history together while at the Falcon in Marlboro, New York, for a performance last September. You can watch the conversation below, along with previously released performances of two RoundAgain tracks from the concert.
Over the chat, the four musicians talk about how they met, the “spiritual alchemy” that occurs when they play together, the various influences they each bring to the table, how listening habits have changed in the quarter century since their last album, the art of crafting a set list, and Redman’s role as bandleader.
“Whatever that thing is that the four of us had, it sure has survived twenty-five years,” Redman says. “It’s right there, you can feel it. It’s just in the way we relate to the beat and each other’s sounds.”
“We’re referencing a body of work that was closest to all of our hearts,” says Mehldau, “which is this great swinging sound of modern jazz.”
“There’s this really incredible balance of the spiritual and the intellectual,” says McBride.
“We’re building something together,” adds Blade, “and it’s precious.”
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