Label: Blue Note Records, 2025
Personnel - Joshua Redman: tenor and soprano saxophones; Paul Cornish: piano; Philip Norris: bass; Nazir Ebo: drums // Guests: Melissa Aldana: tenor saxophone (#2); Skylar Tang: trumpet (#5); Gabrielle Cavassa: vocals (#8).
Charismatic saxophonist and composer Joshua Redman assembles a new rhythm section of young players for his latest quartet outing, Words Fall Short, following his vocali-infused album Where Are We (2023). Superior to Redman’s previous effort, the album comprises eight carefully curated pieces, three of which are elevated by influential guest appearances.
“A Message to Unsend” has a delicate essence, shaped by pianist Paul Cornish’ arpeggiated style, consonant articulations by Redman and bassist Philip Norris, and the sensitive drumming of Nazir Ego. There’s something classical, even bolero-infused in the works, and the music flows with hymn-like, breezy tones, showcasing solos from Cornish and Redman, which unfold over a cultivated musical terrain.
Several pieces were composed during the pandemic, evoking a mood of sadness and melancholy—most evident on the album’s closer, “Era’s End”, a piece built with a slow, sustained drama, featuring Gabrielle Cavassa’s warm voice and a finely brushed drum texture.
“So it Goes” is a standout, featuring saxophonist Melissa Aldana in spirited dialogue with Redman. The piece is marked by zealous interactive dynamics and rapturous improvisations, standing above the rest. Yet “Icarus”, with trumpeter Skylar Tang as a guest, is also remarkable. An odd-metered piano riff is maintained against a steady beat, while the jubilant melody hovers over an infectious rhythm, anchored by a robust harmonic arrangement. Naturally, we witness a fiery exchange between the horn players.
Both the title track, “Words Fall Short”, and the soulful ballad “Borrowed Eyes” exude a soaring, skipping-through-clouds feel. The former, with Redman on soprano, flows in triple meter after an explanatory bass intro. The latter, melodically framed by tenor saxophone, is crisply supported by a brush-driven backbeat.
Redman returns to soprano on “She Knows”, assuming the lead role as he explores the full range of his instrument. The composition begins with a stealthy, methodical lyricism but unexpectedly veers into the avant-garde realm of jazz, gradually intensifying its chops over time.
The music on Words Fall Short doesn’t take long to get under your skin. Picking up where he left off, Redman elevates the material with a sharp, intuitive band that, built to last, demonstrates remarkable artistic maturity while faithfully serving the vision of its leader.
Favorite Tracks:
02 - So It Goes ► 05 - Icarus ► 07 - She Knows