Since winning the Thelonious Monk Institute Award in '91, alt and tenor saxophone player Joshua Redman has been the center of attention. He created a furor with records in his own name, like Joshua Redman, Wish, Mood Swing, Spirit of the Moment, Freedom in the Groove, Beyond, and Passage of Time. His newest project is called Elastic, and was formed by his brand new trio: the New York underground sensation on keys Sam Yahel and first-class drummer Brian Blade. With Elastic, Redman looks back at the groovy jazz played by other famous organ trios, such as Jimmy Smith's. But in particular it is Sam Yahel's willful organ playing that provides new impetus. This new project just goes to show how Redman has grown as a composer and bandleader. He combines swing pieces with pieces that are at times bluntly funk oriented, varying adventurously. While on 'Passage of Time' he was reflecting on his own work, it is clear that he is now looking at the future and that he is steering a new musical course. “This project is something I've thought about since I started playing music seriously, ever since I started touring and recording as a leader”, Joshua Redman says. “I always had the sense that someday, I would do a project with a broader sonic pallet. Something that did not just use acoustic instruments, something more groove-based.”
