Alabama and Stars Fell On Alabama – 2023
Joshua Redman
The tenor digs into a John Coltrane classic
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“Alabama” was composed and recorded by John Coltrane in 1963.
It was dedicated to the four black girls who were killed by a terrorist when a church was bombed.
Tenor-saxophonist Joshua Redman performs unique version of the song in 2023 with pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Joe Saunders, and drummer Brian Blade.
This rendition begins with Gabrielle Cavassa singing a chorus of the light-hearted “Stars Fell On Alabama” (a 1930s song that gives one an idealized image of Alabama) as a duet with Redman.
Then, as she departs from the stage, the much more serious “Alabama” is played by Redman who takes a strong solo before this excerpt ends.
-Scott Yanow
Stan Getz