Concert Review: The Joshua Redman Group at Boulder Theater

We’ve been tossing around the world fervency the past few days on The Morning Set. That’s a great word for Wednesday’s concert by the Joshua Redman Group at the Boulder Theater. “Wednesday’s not a big night for jazz,” quipped Redman, as he saluted the enthusiasm of the crowd, which greeted every song with raucous cheering and applause. “We used to think it was the substances you enjoy in Colorado, but now that stuff everywhere. So we know your enthusiasm is genuine!”

Redman’s banter wasn’t his only connection with the audience. The nearly two-hour concert opened with the very popular track “Chicago Blues,” from his recent Blue Note album “where are we.” (Part of Redman’s genius is the ability to mash up Count Basie and Jimmy Rushing with Sufjan Stevens into a new creation that’s modern and bluesy.) Then Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia,” then The Eagles’ “Hotel California,” which vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa fully embraced and delivered jazzily. (I’m thinking at this point he has this Boulder audience in the palm of his hand.)

Let’s just say Joshua Redman stepped in it HARD, stomping, swinging, and working out ALL the notes on his patinaed saxophone, lower register and high notes. In his hands, squeaks and squawks were in tune (or atonal) and perfectly placed, broadening our ear palate.

This latest album represents Redman’s first major foray into vocal jazz, and Gabrielle Cavassa is generating serious buzz. Her swing (and the band’s) on “Rhode Island Is Famous For You” was relentless, emphasizing the “Colorado” line to our delight. Pianist Paul Cornish (his debut solo release is coming this summer) was right at home in this jazz power group. Bassist Phillip Norris (from Winnipeg, Manitoba) stretched out in solos that were at first emotional and then exuberant. Drummer Nazir Ebo (20-something) ran the group’s engine through the paces and curves of a jazz concert, not truly stretching out and impressing with a solo until near the end of the show.

A few fans told me they saw him in 2024 at the Newman Center in Denver, and wouldn’t miss him again. Joshua Redman likely picked up a few more die hard fans in Boulder