Biography

Josh Johnston is a pianist, arranger and composer/songwriter from Dun Laoghaire, just south of Dublin in Ireland. After graduating from the University of Salford with a degree in Popular Music in 1997, he messed around for a couple of years, working in radio and music retail (ie he worked in a shop !!) before taking the plunge to try his hand at being a full-time musician.

It hasn't worked out too badly so far. Since releasing his CD, Three Friends in 2001 (which he recorded in Dublin with singer Jane Dalton and Zrazy saxophonist Carole Nelson and which featured songs by Johnston, Bob Dylan, Hoagy Carmichael and others), he has been seen in a variety of different musical environments. He is currently recording his 2nd solo CD with guitarist Eoin O'Brien and his live band. His other current 'baby' is a jazz duo with Dublin violinist David MacKenzie (www.davidandjosh.com) which takes the swing jazz of Stephan Grappelli as a starting point but also mixes elements of latin jazz, blues and classical music to create an excellently refreshing mix of standards and original compositions. They released their 2nd CD, Notes Home in June 2008.

He also writes and performs with Birr singer / songwriter Roesy (www.roesy.net), appearing in countless shows and on three CDs so far, the most recent being Colour Me Colourful. As well as this, he has played live and recorded to one degree or another with musicians from across the musical spectrum such as Kila, SJ McArdle, Breda Mayock, Noelie McDonnell, Hank Wiedel, and Ronan Swift, among others.

As if this weren't enough, he also directs the Phoenix Chamber Choir (Dun Laoghaire, Ireland), accompanies choirs, singers and soloists; for exams, rehearsals and recitals and is the organist at the Unitarian Church in Dublin. Classically trained and with a keen interest in all forms of popular music, he is a versatile and valuable session musician, equally at home in jazz, folk and rock.

For further information on David & Josh activities, please go to www.davidandjosh.com

For other information, contact Josh at

Shandon Records
20 Burdett Avenue
Sandycove
County Dublin
IRELAND
e-mail: josh@joshjohnston.com