Josh Levinson Septet - Dusk (2020)

Josh Levinson’s life has always been about music. Only fourwhen he began piano with his mother, Alice, he continued studying piano with Leonard Shure at the Third Street Music School in Manhattan. Introduced to the trumpet in elementary school, he became further acquainted with it at John Dewey High School, when he heard Eliot Goldenthal play “Oh When the Saints” and was struck by the instrument’s ability to be both bold and sweet. After flourishing as a player in the various ensembles at John Dewey and in the vaunted All City Band, Josh attended CCNY and studied jazz with John Lewis, played in an ensemble led by Ron Carter for two years, and performed with Gil Evans, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, and his trumpet hero, Freddie Hubbard.

Josh began composing around 1987 and has since amassed a catalogue of around 100 compositions arranged for his jazz septet, which he leads and performs with in and around New York City. He has had an impressive array of musicians play his music and has four CD’s under his own name and iscurrently recording a new one, titled Dusk. His playing resume includes a tour with a funk/R&B band led by Mickey Murray (Shout Bama Lama), several funk bands in New York City in the early 80’s, many Salsa and Meringue gigs and some jazz and classical playing as well.

In 1975, Josh began teaching music in the Bronx. Remaining in the Bronx for almost 25 years and teaching in 3 different schoolsJosh created school bands, taught recorder, violin, and guitar, created a piano lab, and taught music theory and music appreciation.

Always intent on demonstrating his love for all types of music, he succeeded in getting students to appreciate music fromdiverse cultures as well as music from generations ago.

Continually focused on honing his skills as a composer and player and band leader, Josh is excited to be recording and soon thereafter releasing his fifth CD and will be performing on the NYC club circuit as well as in universities and other clubs around the country.

Josh’s music is accessible, transcending genres and easily definable niches. Always learning, always listening, always exploring, Josh believes you will find much to love and yes, move and groove to in his music .