Trombone Song Cycle

Relocating to the UK in 2009 Josh was quickly identified as one to watch. “Standing out in a town full of singers” is how Jazzwise magazine, London’s premier jazz publication described him.

Gaining support from UK heavy weight Claire Martin, OBE, BBC Radio 3 presenter and jazz vocalist, Josh was quickly working with the best in town. A chance meeting with Bassist/Producer Geoff Gascoyne (Jamie Cullum) saw the beginning of a musical partnership that would see Josh release his debut album Possibilities a collection of arranged standards and originals, as a part of the London International Jazz Festival in 2011.

Josh returned to Australia in 2012 to release the album Possibilities touring nationally. The album received rave reviews from the UK press and was album of the week on Jazz FM UK and now ABC Jazz radio; Josh was a finalist in the James Morrison Generations In Jazz Scholarship as well as the 2012 National Jazz Awards featuring Voice at The Wangaratta Jazz Festival.

Songs of Friends released in 2014, is a collaboration with pianist Sam Keevers and is a collection of original Australian instrumental jazz compositions that Josh has set lyrics too. This has been featured at The Stonnington, Wangaratta and Perth International Jazz Festivals in 2013/14. In 2016 Josh worked extensively with Chamber Made Opera premiering a new work by composer Kate Neal and theatre maker Tamara Saulwick titled Permission To Speak.

2018 saw Josh release two new projects, I Hear, Here I, and Trombone Song Cycle. Firstly I Hear, Here I is a set of music for the male voice, two electric guitars and drums with featured performances by Stephen Magnussan, Hugh Stuckey and Joe Talia. The more recent release, Trombone Song Cycle, is a collection of obscure love songs that seek to highlight the in-between moments of a relationship. What does that sigh sound like? What does that smile really mean? The combination of the male voice imbedded into the sonic landscape of four trombones makes for an arranging playground, similar ranges and tonal quality make for playful distribution of role’s inside the ensemble. This piece was written with these specific trombonists in mind, showcasing there incredibly unique voice, masterfulimprovising and individual approach to playing the instrument.

Josh is also currently involved with a new collaborative project with Gian Slaters Invenio Singers and Rawcus, an ensemble made up of performers with and without disabilities. This new work, Song For A Weary Throat premiered in November, as a part of Theatre Works 2017 program.