Joshua Redman’s name resonates deeply in the jazz world as that of a gifted improvisor, charismatic performer, and insightful thinker on the nature and meaning of music. The son of legendary saxophonist Dewey Redman and Renée Shedroff, a dancer and librarian, Redman grew up steeped in music, movement, storytelling, and the written word. That influence is evident in the remarkable path he’s carved, blending emotion and intellect into a sound and style unmistakably his own.

After graduating from Harvard University and deferring his acceptance to Yale Law School, Redman moved to New York City, where he gigged and recorded with some of the greatest musicians of all time, including Charlie Haden, Elvin Jones, Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano, McCoy Tyner, Clark Terry, Milt Jackson, and his father, Dewey Redman. It was here, at the epicenter of the city’s thriving jazz scene, that his true calling began to emerge. In 1991, Redman won the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Competition, widely regarded as the preeminent event of its kind. The following year, he signed with Warner Bros. Records and soon released his debut album, which earned him the first of ten career Grammy nominations. 

Redman’s first quartet featured pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Brian Blade—some of the most influential musicians of their generation and artists who would go on to shape the future of the art form. Throughout the 1990s and well into the new century, Redman continued to refine his craft and expand his vision, releasing a string of acclaimed albums, including Wish (1993), Moodswing (1994), Spirit of the Moment (1995), Freedom in the Groove (1996), Elastic (2000), Back East (2007), Still Dreaming (2018), and where are we (2023). His apprenticeships and collaborations read like a who's-who of musical giants: Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Roy Haynes, Roy Hargrove, Stevie Wonder, Meshell Ndegeocello, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Matthews Band, Umphrey’s McGee, The Bad Plus, Brad Mehldau, and more: a true testament to Redman’s versatility and to the respect he has garnered among elders and peers alike.

Redman's creative reach extends beyond the stage and studio and into film and television. He composed the original score for Louis Malle’s Vanya on 42nd Street (1994), contributed to Clint Eastwood’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997), and appeared in Robert Altman’s Kansas City (1996) and Ken Burns’ documentary series Jazz (2000–01). In 1997, he brought his love of jazz to a new generation when he was featured on the beloved children’s show Reading Rainbow, and again in 1999 when he voiced the character Uncle Josh on PBS’s Arthur, alongside legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

As the Artistic Director of the SFJAZZ Spring Season (2000–2007), Redman ventured into the world of programming, presenting, and curation. In 2004–2007, as a founding member and musical director of the SFJAZZ Collective, he helped formulate and fulfill the group’s mission: to honor and celebrate great works of the modern jazz era, while at the same time serving as an essential incubator for the creation, development, and performance of new music. In 2019, he joined Stanford University as a Visiting Artist, and in 2025, he was appointed Artist in Residence. Often eschewing conventional teaching methods, Redman encourages spontaneity, authenticity, and freedom of expression, while respecting the enduring norms and exacting standards of an ever-evolving jazz language. 

With a career spanning over three decades, Redman remains a vital force in contemporary jazz, bridging tradition and innovation, performance and mentorship, intellect and emotion. His music continues to invite listeners into a world where every note tells a story, and every beat becomes a shared moment of human connection.