Trios Live by Joshua Redman

Saxophonist Joshua Redman burns it up on *Trios Live*. The album draws its material from two live shows: drummer Gregory Hutchinson and bassist Matt Penman appear on tracks recorded at New York City’s Jazz Standard, and Hutchinson and bassist Reuben Rogers make up the rhythm section on the cuts captured at Washington, D.C.’s Blues Alley. Things start with a version of Brecht and Weill’s “Moritat (Mack the Knife),” which is compellingly explored at length. Redman dazzles on tenor sax on the track. “Soul Dance” finds the leader’s lithe and melodic soprano sax dancing above nimble bass and drums that push and pull at the groove. Thelonious Monk’s “Trinkle, Tinkle” features a swinging bass solo by Penman, and Redman picks up his soprano for the mysterious original “Mantra #5,” a riveting and appealingly spare piece. The closing track is a real show-stopper. The group play a fired-up version of Led Zeppelin’s “Ocean,” a song with tricky rhythms that seem tailor-made for this trio. And it’s clear that the crowd at the club loved it.

Trios Live features saxophonist Joshua Redman performing live in concert with his trio on two separate dates.

One of modern jazz's most accomplished saxophonists shows off his prowess in these no-let-up live trio recordings, writes <strong>John Fordham</strong>