Dewey Redman
 Felix
Lamouroux has talked to Dewey Redman about his past, future and his
son Joshua Redman at the Central Café, Cologne Germany, on May 5th.
You lately recorded Momentum Space with Cecil Taylor on piano and
Elvin Jones on drums, how was the work on this CD?
For me it was a pleasure to play with these two giants of jazz. It's
an offer that you get a chance to record with master of music and I
enjoyed it very much. There was nothing that was written down, there
were no notes. We sort of talked our way through it, in other words
we exchanged ideas and we went from there. Everybody had something
to put into this project.
Actually I only heard part of it before I left New York for this
tour, so I am looking forward to hearing all of it.
How would you describe the style of this CD?
First let me say that it is very difficult to put music into words.
I would say that it is jazz-improvisation. I am reminded of a
Picasso-statement. One time a writer asked Picasso: "What does
this painting mean?" And Picasso answered: "If I knew that
I would be a writer.".
What style do you like to play?
I like to play it all-styles as far as I can, because in my band we
are playing the so-called avant-garde, a little be-bop, ballads,
blues. I also play the musette, that I will play tonight, it comes
from the middle-east.
I try to do a variety of styles, because one style bores me.
During your career you have recorded a lot of good music.
Which of your albums is your favorite?
The last album I recorded is called Live in London. That's
one of my favorite. It's hard to say that's my favorite, that's one
of the best ones I have recorded, I think.
What’s your favorite album?
Anything but Charlie Parker. I like John Coltrane pretty much. The
saxophone-players I like are Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon. As a
matter of fact the second tune on Live in London is called The
very thought of you and I dedicated it to D.G., which is Dexter
Gordon. I tried to play it in his style, in the flavor of Dexter.
I like many people, singers: Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday.
I figured out one time that everybody I liked, they weren't of the
same gender, they weren't born under the same astrological sign,
they weren't of the same race. But they all had one thing in common:
they had a good sound. What I reach for first when I play is sound.
Technique maybe, but there is technique in sound.
So had idols you wanted to sound like?
No, everybody who I liked had a good sound. But I like to think of
myself as an original. I have my own sound. That's not easy to come
by, I worked on it for many years. But I like to think that I sound
like Dewey Redman.
Do you think that you had influence on other musicians?
Maybe not as an idol, but I have influenced some people, including
my son Joshua. So that feels good. Wherever I play musicians come to
meet me, that is a great compliment to me. I am honored.
Talking about your son. Are you proud of your son?
Of course I am, who wouldn't be proud of him. He's great.
What do you think about your son’s music?
I think, he's a good player. He's one of the best. He's one of the
few jazz-musicians to have sold over a million records. That in
itself is: Hey that's very good.
What more can I say?
Did you ever made a record with your son?
Yes, we have made two records together, one is called Coincides,
the other one is called African Venuts. So we have recorded
together.
Are you already working on a new album?
No, I am not. This is the first tour I have done with my band in
about two or three years, the reason for that is, because for the
past two years I had a health problem, I had prostate cancer, but
it's in remission now. And so I am beginning to work again, but I
can't plan too much into the future, my health comes first.
You must have played mostly everywhere on the world. What
is the place you liked most?
I like to play, I especially like to play in Europe, because the
appreciation for jazz is much greater than it is in America outside
of New York, New Orleans and Chicago. America is not as great for me
as Europe. I have played in a lot of places, but there are three
places I want to go to, where I haven’t been. The first one is
Africa, I want to go to Africa before I go. I want to go to
my homeland, because somewhere in my background I am African.
I’d also like to go to China. I have some friends who went to
China and they said it was great. Also I would like to go to Brazil.
You have today much experience in the music-business. What
would you tell a young person, who wants to start a musical career
today?
Keep your day-job! No, just joking. Like you tell everybody: Follow
your dreams! Study! Get as much knowledge as you can not only music,
but about life! Ask questions about everything.
John Coltrane told me once: "Practice, man!"
What have you told your son when he started?
My son was a great musician right from the start. He has won several
competitions. He’s good, he has always been good. He is
intelligent, he’s a very good player.
Do you listen to his concerts or CDs?
I have his CDs. But he travels a lot and I haven’t heard him
playing for a long time. I know how plays though and every time I
hear him he plays a little better and better.
What is your maxim in music?
Right now it’s just to stay alive! When you have a condition like
that you think differently. As I said before when I play, what I am
playing, the first thing I reach for is sound. If I get a good sound
I’m well on my way.
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