Saxophonist Joshua Redman brought his new band to London’s Barbican as part of the London Jazz Festival and captivated the audience. Largely performing tracks from his new album Where Are We, Redman took us on a whistle-stop tour of the States, before landing us squarely back in London.

This gig was definitely one of my favourites from this year’s festival, as London came alive once more with some extraordinary jazz. Redman and his band flew into London just hours before the show, and continued their exploration of Europe the following day. Redman explained on stage that he and vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa had decided on a specific track to honour each of the cities they were visiting. Our treat was their rendition of A Foggy Day in London Town, which sat nicely alongside the tributes to American cities from the album.

Each of the tunes takes a pair of well-known songs and combines them with Redman’s extraordinary style and panache that were arrangements we’ve heard on the album, but skilfully brought to the Barbican stage.

Redman’s band altered from that used on Where Are We, with Paul Cornish (piano), Philip Norris (bass) and Nazir Ebo (drums). Each brought their own finesse, with extraordinary solos and exemplary rhythm section work.

I particularly enjoyed the live renditions of Chicago Blues, Streets of Philadelphia, but the highlight of the night was Redman’s Stars Fell on Alabama, followed by Coltrane's Alabama.