Ancienne Belgique

They've both appeared on the AB stage in the recent past: masterful pianist Brad Mehldau (as ever, with his trio) and also the impressive saxophonist Joshua Redman (with his Elastic Band). But now, fo...

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They've both appeared on the AB stage in the recent past: masterful pianist Brad Mehldau (as ever, with his trio) and also the impressive saxophonist Joshua Redman (with his Elastic Band). But now, for the first time, both gentlemen will appear together as a duo on one and the same stage. These jazz musicians certainly have one thing in common, aside from previous collaborations, and that is their open mind. So it is that, aside from jazz (and classical), Brad Mehldau also often flirts with pop. Just remember his sublime versions of Radiohead songs like 'Paranoid Android' and 'Exit Music (For A Film)', Nick Drake's 'River Man' or The Beatles 'Dear Prudence'. In turn, Joshua Redman has reworked song material from Sheryl Crow and Led Zeppelin and has previously played together with the likes of Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), ?uestlove (The Roots) and Michelle N’Degeocello.

The Guardian certainly spoke words of praise about their recent visit to London's Wigmore Hall and immediately crowned them with a ****-review: "On the duo gig with Redman, Mehldau was often able to let his partner's built-in swing release his most whimsical side. Characteristically audacious departures from the harmony inflected his first solo on the opening ‘Don't Be Sad’, while Redman started to relax and lengthen his lines on the following rather mournful waltz. Charlie Parker's ‘Donna Lee’ began deep in the tenor's register, and the two swapped phrases through the improv. Redman conjured a beautiful, circular-breathed overture to ‘The Folks Who Live On the Hill’, and steadily revealed more of his expressive tone-colouring all the way through to the hypnotically rocking encore."

Want to bet that this unique encounter results in fireworks?