Next Stop, “Baltimore”

In preparation of Joshua Redman’s September 15th record release where we are, the esteemed Jazz musician has dropped “Baltimore.” The compelling single features the stylings of Redman himself, written by Gabriel Kahane and performed on the album. It is completed by the accompaniment of pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Joe Sanders, and Brian Blade on the drums. “Baltimore” is an exciting piece of his upcoming album, stunning the audience as a musical journey across the United States of America. Each song off the album is about a specific geographic location of the U.S., weaving a spellbinding map of emotions and experience.

Each note stricken in “Baltimore” is done so with intention and statement. Each musician enters separately, building off of one another in an unmarred flow. There is a screaming storyline that forms because of each thoughtfully placed note. It starts with Parks on piano, fiddling with sharps and flats, until Sanders’ bass makes its sleek entrance between Blade’s percussive ad libs and flighty drums. Redman, the star of the melody, swiftly joins the rest on his saxophone, putting the song on a distinct track after the suspenseful introduction. From here, Redman’s concept for this album is clear and significant, as he takes flight. He is able to evoke the feeling of constant, simultaneous movement and observation that comes with seeing so many places of the country.

“The magic of this particular gathering of musicians,” Redman continues, “was that we were able to come together from points afar, to converge (physically and creatively) in a particular place at a particular time; and to embrace, with fullest imagination and without slightest reservation, the ethic of ‘serving the songs.’ In this sense, where are we is perhaps above all a meditation on the power and importance of place — the unique human beauty created when we locate ourselves in shared physical spaces together with others; the loss, anomie, and angst suffered when we divide ourselves unnaturally and unjustly apart.”

Joshua Redman

Check out “Baltimore” below and keep up with Joshua Redman here. Redman has already released “Chicago” and “Streets of Philadelphia” off of where we are as well, so be sure not to miss the musing release next month!