Jazz superstar Joshua Redman’s latest project, “3×3,” is a celebration of the power of three—the music of three iconic jazz composers interpreted in the classic trio format of saxophone, bass and drums. The music is drawn from the works of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and the late Wayne Shorter, each of whom Redman considers “not just relevant but foundational.”
The “3×3” concept emerged in part from Redman’s COVID-19 pandemic experience. Now the legendary performer, composer and 10-time Grammy Award nominee brings his unique style of virtuosic jazz to UGA for the first time with a performance on April 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Hodgson Concert Hall. He is appearing with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Marcus Gilmore.
Redman has garnered top honors in critics and readers polls of DownBeat, Jazz Times, Village Voice and Rolling Stone. He wrote and performed the music for Louis Malle’s final film, “Vanya on 42nd Street,”and is both seen and heard in the Robert Altman film “Kansas City.”
Born in Berkeley, California, Redman is the son of legendary saxophonist Dewey Redman and dancer Renee Shedroff. He was exposed at an early age to a variety of music (jazz, classical, rock, soul, Indian, Indonesian, Middle-Eastern, African) and instruments (recorder, piano, guitar, gatham, gamelan) and began playing clarinet at age 9 before switching to what became his primary instrument, the tenor saxophone, one year later. The early influences of John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Cannonball Adderley, and his father, as well as The Beatles; Aretha Franklin; the Temptations; Earth, Wind and Fire; Prince; The Police; and Led Zeppelin drew Redman more deeply into music.
In 1991, Redman graduated from Harvard College summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in social studies. He was quickly signed by Warner Bros. Records and issued his first, self-titled album in spring 1993, which subsequently earned him his first Grammy nomination.
In addition to his own projects, Redman has recorded and performed with musicians such as The Bad Plus, Brian Blade, Ray Brown, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, The Dave Matthews Band, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell, Charlie Haden, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Roy Haynes, Milt Jackson, Elvin Jones, Quincy Jones, Big Daddy Kane, B.B. King, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, DJ Logic, Joe Lovano, Yo-Yo Ma, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, John Medeski, Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Marcus Miller, Paul Motian, MeShell Ndegeocello, Leon Parker, Nicholas Payton, Simon Rattle, Dewey Redman, Dianne Reeves, The Rolling Stones, The Roots, Kurt Rosenwinkel, John Scofield, String Cheese Incident, Clark Terry, Toots Thielemans, The Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, McCoy Tyner, Umphrey’s McGee, US3, Cedar Walton and Stevie Wonder.
This performance is supported by Brad and Vera Tucker, Jed Rasula and Suzi Wong, the Charlie and Teresa Friedlander Community Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation, and Dr. Janice Simon.
Free shuttle transportation to this performance is available for Clarke County seniors, thanks to a partnership between the Performing Arts Center and the Athens Community Council on Aging. For more information, call the box office at 706-542-4400.
Three ways to get tickets
- Purchase tickets online at pac.uga.edu.
- Call the Performing Arts Center box office at 706-542-4400, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center box office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (five-minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)
Ticket buyers can create a series of three performances for 20% off. Single tickets begin at $25, and UGA student tickets are just $10. Parking is free.
To learn more about all UGA Performing Arts Center events, visit pac.uga.edu.