Joshua White, a pianist, was born August 17, 1985. He had musical training in both gospel and classical music traditions. In 2003, he encountered the music that is commonly called “jazz” at the University of California San Diego summer camp. At seven years old, he began piano lessons with a private instructor. He was then immersed in the music of Bach and other composers such as Chopin, Beethoven, Chopin and Rachmaninoff. Joshua, aged 18, decided to concentrate his musical studies on jazz and improvised music traditions after he won several piano music competitions. With the support of world-famous musicians such as composer Anthony Davis, David Borgo, Holly Hofmann, and Mike Wofford, Joshua dived headfirst into music. Wofford says that Joshua was “the most dedicated student I’ve ever worked alongside.” “Absolutely focused, with a great intuitive grasp on the music, even at an early stage.” White was a pioneer in the Southern California jazz scene, where he played with legendary trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos and alto saxophone player Charles McPherson. He also played alongside Marshall Hawkins, Daniel Jackson, and Mark Dresser, an Anthony Braxton sideman. Dresser selected the young musician to his West Coast Quintet. It featured saxophonist Ben Schachter and virtuoso trombonist Michael Dessen, as well as drummer Kjell Nordeson. Dresser stated, “Josh was a terrible young pianist.” He is a unique talent, I think. He is so versatile. White’s virtuosity does not consist of mere technique displays. White has an uncanny ability of mixing the overtly lyrical and passages that are full of tension, without losing the listener. In short, White is a cultural improviser who takes his heritage and explores the possibilities. White placed second among 160 international competitors in the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition, Washington D.C. Herbie Hancock was also one of the judges. Hancock said that Joshua has an immense talent. George Varga, San Diego Union Tribune music critic, agreed. His bold and courageous approach to improvisation at the cutting edge was inspiring. He is his man. Thelonious Monk would be proud of the performance of Ben Ratliff, a young jazz critic at The New York Times. He pushed hard against the rhythm section, and improvised with form telling Rodney Whitaker (bassist) and Carl Allen (drummer) what to do, and how to accelerate and decelerate, before suddenly becoming free. This was something that no one else did. Although Mr. White did use a lot dissonance and clutter, it was not the brilliant-soloist type made mostly with the left hand. It was a sound that was worth returning to …” Over the past several years, White has been acclaimed as one of Southern California’s most talented and creative pianists. Dizzy’s (San Diego), Blue Whale, Los Angeles, The Loft (La Jolla), and the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla are just a few of the many venues where he performs. The Joshua White Quartet was formed in January 2014. It is a bicoastal group that interprets original compositions and explores the limits of collective improvisation. The JWQ includes Harish Raghavan (Alto Sax), Hamilton Price (bass), Damion Reid (drums), and Mark Ferber (drums). Pianist Joshua White has also worked /recorded with Chrisitan McBride, Dayna Stephens, Ambrose Akinmusire, Walter Smith III, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Tim Lefebvre, Joe LaBarbera, Hugh Ragin, Anthony Wilson, Derrick Hodge, and many more… from http://joshuawhitemusic.com
