Redman, who is Black and Jewish, was born in Berkeley, California. He is the son of jazz saxophonist Dewey Redman. He is a graduate of Berkeley High School. Then in 1991 he graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Redman won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition the same year and began focusing on his musical career. Redman continued to develop his style through the 1990s, beginning with a sideman appearance on his father's 1992 record Choices. On his sophomore effort as a leader, Wish, he was joined by a notable lineup consisting of guitarist Pat Metheny, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Billy Higgins. He continued to work with various quartets until forming a new trio, Elastic, with keyboardist Sam Yahel and drummer Brian Blade.
In addition to his efforts with Elastic, he is the artistic director of San Francisco's SFJAZZ Collective, which is considered by many to be an emerging geographic and philosophic rival to the stylistically neo-classicist Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis.
Redman has also made a guest appearance on an episode of the TV show Arthur as the uncle of Francine, one of the main characters. The episode also depicts him in a boxing match against classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Soul Dance
Joshua Redman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In tongues from the time before man
Listen to a daffodil tell her tale
Let the guest in, walk out, be the first to greet the morn
The meadows of heaven await harvest
The cliffs unjumped, cold waters untouched
The elsewhere creatures yet unseen
Come
Taste the wine
Race the blind
They will guide you from the light
Writing noughts till the end of time
Come
Surf the clouds
Race the dark
It feeds from the runs undone
Meet me where the cliff greets the sea
The answer to the riddle before your eyes
Is in dead leaves and fleeting skies
Returning swans and sedulous mice
Writings on the gardens book, in the minute of a lover's look
Building a sandcastle close to the shore
A house of cards from a worn out deck
A home from the fellowship, poise and calm
Write a lyric for the song only you can understand
Come
Taste the wine
Race the blind
They will guide you from the light
Writing noughts till the end of time
Come
Surf the clouds
Race the dark
It feeds from the runs undone
Meet me where the cliff greets the sea
Riding hard every shooting star
Come to life, open mind, have a laugh at the orthodox
Come, drink deep let the dam of mind seep
Travel with great élan, dance a jig at the funeral
Come
Taste the wine
Race the blind
They will guide you from the light
Writing noughts till the end of time
Come
Surf the clouds
Race the dark
It feeds from the runs undone
Meet me where the cliff greets the sea
Come!
The lyrics of the song "Soul Dance" by Joshua Redman are a mystical and poetic invitation to leave the humdrum of life behind and experience the beauty of nature in all its glory. The singer urges the listener to wake up from sleep and let the springtime talk in tongues that go back to the time before human existence. Listening to the tale of a daffodil and being the first to greet the morning can be a transformative experience that connects one with the meadows of heaven and unexplored cliffs and waters.
The song hints at the existence of creatures yet unseen and beckons the listener to take the plunge into a free fall that awaits the brave. The wine and blind racing represent the journey of life that can be guided by experiences and intuition. The song also talks about the fleeting nature of life and how the answer to the riddle lies in the ephemeral beauty of dead leaves and swans returning home. The song seems to suggest that one can find solace and peace amidst chaos and uncertainties by having an open mind, embracing the unconventional, and celebrating life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Leave the sleep and let the springtime talk
Wake up and listen to the sounds of spring, which have been around since before humanity
In tongues from the time before man
The sounds of nature speak in a language that predates human existence
Listen to a daffodil tell her tale
Take time to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of every living thing, including flowers
Let the guest in, walk out, be the first to greet the morn
Be hospitable and welcoming, and step outside to experience the start of a new day
The meadows of heaven await harvest
Opportunities for growth and abundance are waiting to be seized
The cliffs unjumped, cold waters untouched
There are unknown challenges and unexplored territories waiting to be discovered
The elsewhere creatures yet unseen
There are wonders and mysteries yet to be discovered
Finally your number came up, free fall awaits the brave
It's time to take a leap of faith and embrace the unknown
Come
Invitation to join in the adventure and experience life to the fullest
Taste the wine
Savor the good things in life and appreciate the richness of the experience
Race the blind
Embrace uncertainty and act with courage even when the outcome is unknown
They will guide you from the light
Trusting in others can help navigate through difficult times and unknown challenges
Writing noughts till the end of time
Every experience is worth remembering, no matter how insignificant it may seem
Surf the clouds
Explore and experience the unexpected and surreal
Race the dark
Don't be afraid to confront and overcome fears and obstacles
It feeds from the runs undone
Challenges are opportunities for growth and shouldn't be avoided
Meet me where the cliff greets the sea
Let's come together and experience the beauty and excitement of the world
The answer to the riddle before your eyes
The solution to life's mysteries can be found in the simplest things
Is in dead leaves and fleeting skies
Even in things that may seem lifeless or insignificant, there is wisdom and beauty to be found
Returning swans and sedulous mice
Life goes on and every creature has its own journey and purpose
Writings on the gardens book, in the minute of a lover's look
Love and nature are two powerful and interconnected forces that provide meaning and inspiration in life
Building a sandcastle close to the shore
Enjoy and appreciate the simple pleasures in life
A house of cards from a worn out deck
With creativity and resourcefulness, even seemingly worthless things can be transformed into something beautiful
A home from the fellowship, poise and calm
The support and companionship of others can help provide a sense of belonging and peace
Write a lyric for the song only you can understand
Each individual has their own unique perspective and experiences that contribute to their interpretation of life
Riding hard every shooting star
Make the most of every opportunity and don't be afraid to take risks
Come to life, open mind, have a laugh at the orthodox
Be open to new experiences and forms of thinking, and don't be bound by tradition or convention
Come, drink deep let the dam of mind seep
Let go of inhibitions and explore the depths of one's own consciousness
Travel with great élan, dance a jig at the funeral
Live life with passion and enthusiasm, even in the face of adversity or sorrow
Writer(s): Joshua Shedroff
Contributed by Grayson W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.