Dewey Redman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dewey Redman
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Redman at Moers Festival, Germany,
June 2006 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Walter Dewey Redman |
| Born | May 17, 1931 Fort Worth, Texas, United States |
| Died | September 2, 2006 (aged 75) Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Genres | Jazz, avant-garde jazz, free jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instruments | Tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, suona, clarinet |
| Labels | Impulse!, Black Saint, Galaxy, ECM |
Walter Dewey Redman (May 17, 1931 – September 2, 2006) was an American jazz musician. He was famous for playing the saxophone, especially the tenor saxophone. Dewey Redman was known for his unique style in free jazz, a type of jazz music where musicians have a lot of freedom to improvise. He played with many well-known jazz artists like Ornette Coleman and Keith Jarrett. His son, Joshua Redman, is also a famous saxophonist.
Redman mostly played the tenor saxophone. Sometimes, he also played the alto saxophone, the Chinese suona (which he called a musette), and the clarinet.
Contents
About Dewey Redman
Early Life and Musical Journey
Dewey Redman was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He went to I.M. Terrell High School. There, he played in the school band with other musicians who would become famous, like Ornette Coleman.
After high school, he briefly studied electrical engineering. But he soon realized his true passion was music. He returned to Texas and earned a degree in Industrial Arts in 1953. During this time, he switched from playing the clarinet to the alto saxophone, and then to the tenor saxophone.
After college, he served two years in the U.S. Army. When he returned, he started working on a master's degree in education. He taught music to fifth graders in Bastrop, Texas. At night and on weekends, he played his saxophone in Austin, Texas. He graduated in Education in 1957.
In 1959, Redman moved to San Francisco. There, he started working with clarinet player Donald Garrett.
Working with Jazz Legends
Dewey Redman became well-known for his work with saxophonist Ornette Coleman. They had played together in their high school marching band. Redman joined Coleman's band from 1968 to 1972.
He also played in pianist Keith Jarrett's American Quartet from 1971 to 1976. One of their albums, The Survivors' Suite, was named Jazz Album of the Year in 1978.
In the 1970s, Redman helped form a jazz group called Old and New Dreams. This group included Don Cherry, Charlie Haden, and Ed Blackwell. They recorded four albums together.
Redman also recorded music with other artists like Paul Motian and Pat Metheny. In 1981, he performed at the Woodstock Jazz Festival. This event celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Creative Music Studio. A documentary film about him, called Dewey Time, was made in 2001.
In 2004, he was a special guest with Jazz at Lincoln Center. He played tenor saxophone in a concert honoring Ornette Coleman's music. Critics praised his performance, noting his unique style and strong playing.
Dewey Redman passed away in Brooklyn, New York, on September 2, 2006. He is buried in the Calverton National Cemetery.
Dewey Redman's Music
Dewey Redman released many albums as a bandleader. His first album, Look for the Black Star, came out in 1966. Other notable albums include The Ear of the Behearer and Coincide. He also recorded Red and Black in Willisau with Ed Blackwell.
Later in his career, he released Choices and African Venus, both featuring his son, Joshua Redman. His final album, Momentum Space, was recorded with Cecil Taylor and Elvin Jones.
Albums with Old and New Dreams
As part of the group Old and New Dreams, Dewey Redman recorded several albums:
- Old and New Dreams (1976)
- Old and New Dreams (1979)
- Playing (1980)
- A Tribute to Blackwell (1987)
Albums as a Guest Musician
Dewey Redman was a featured musician on many albums by other artists. He played on several albums with Ornette Coleman, including New York Is Now! and Science Fiction.
He also contributed to many recordings with Keith Jarrett's groups, such as El Juicio, Fort Yawuh, and The Survivors' Suite.
Redman also played with Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra on albums like Liberation Music Orchestra. He appeared on Pat Metheny's album 80/81 and several albums by Paul Motian.
See also
In Spanish: Dewey Redman para niños
