Joshua Redman Released Tribute to Sonny Rollins
The saxophonist teamed up with Gabrielle Cavassa to honor the legacy of the late jazz legend.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Jazz
Joshua Redman has released a new version of God Bless The Child, a track featured on his upcoming tribute album for Sonny Rollins. The project pays homage to the influential saxophonist who died earlier this year.
Why it matters
Redman organized this project to celebrate the profound impact Rollins had on his personal approach to musical improvisation. The release serves as a collective act of remembrance from leading voices in the jazz community.
The new recording features Gabrielle Cavassa, Peter Bernstein, Christian McBride, and Marcus Gilmore. It mirrors the arrangement Rollins utilized for his 1962 album The Bridge.
The players
Joshua Redman
He is an acclaimed jazz saxophonist who has been a prominent figure in the industry since the 1990s.
Sonny Rollins
He was an iconic jazz saxophonist widely considered one of the most important improvisers in the history of the genre.
Gabrielle Cavassa
She is a jazz vocalist known for her nuanced vocal performances and recent collaborative projects.
The details
Redman recorded the song as part of his upcoming tribute album, If Ever You Would Leave Us, following studio sessions held in New York. The recording stays faithful to the original harmonizations that defined the 1962 version by Sonny Rollins.
Timeline
Sonny Rollins recorded the original song for his album The Bridge in 1962.
Sonny Rollins died on May 26, 2026.
Studio sessions for the tribute project were held in New York in June 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This tribute follows the long tradition of modern jazz artists revisiting seminal works to canonize legendary performers. It underscores the ongoing influence of mid-century jazz standards on contemporary creative projects.
Listeners can access this new rendition through standard music streaming platforms and digital retailers. The upcoming tribute album will provide a broader collection of interpretations from Redman and his peers.
The takeaway
This tribute highlights how modern musicians continue to draw upon the structural foundations laid by foundational jazz artists. Fans can look forward to the full album release to see how other contributors explore the legacy of Rollins.
Further reading
Explore more artist news and recording releases in the Jazz section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by uDiscover Music.
