In June 1997, Irish pianist & composer Josh Johnston completed a Popular Music & Recording degree at the University of Salford near Manchester, England. Subsequent to this he spent six months researching “You Bend”, a programme for Irish Radio Station FM3 (now Lyric FM) which by its eclectic, inclusive nature, perfectly represents his musical tastes. While in England he co-founded the band Second Nature with another keyboardist and the seven-piece band performed a variety of songs and tunes, including some very strong originals. Josh's time with this band dramatically increased his experience in both live performance and studio recording, as well as in musical direction. Since he returned to Dublin, Josh has been working consistently in the jazz, rock and pop fields; with jazz singer Jane Dalton as one half of Two For You, with Irish singer/songwriter Roesy, with violinist David MacKenzie and on material (both original & covers) for a solo career. Johnston's debut CD for Shandon Records - Three Friends - was the first sign of this work. Johnston's debut CD was a distinctive mix of folk, jazz and classical music and features five original instrumentals as well as songs and instrumentals by Bob Dylan, Hoagy Carmichael, Bruce Cockburn and Irish songwriter Noel Brazil among others. Recorded and mixed with engineer Rodney Callan on location and at The Works Studio in Dublin over three days in early 2000, Josh enlisted help from jazz singer Jane Dalton and Zrazy saxophonist Carole Nelson. There is a wide range of styles & moods on this CD but this is put in sharp focus by Josh's evocative piano style which takes in elements of Keith Jarrett & Bruce Hornsby as well as Irish pianist Micheal O'Suilleabhain. In 2002, Josh teamed up with classically trained violinist David MacKenzie. Since then, they have performed regularly throughout Ireland and in October 2004, they released their debut CD, A Minor Happiness.
Ireland
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