Julian Raphael Nathaniel Joseph OBE (born 11 May 1966) is a British jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and broadcaster.[1] He has worked solo, in his big band, trio, quartet, forum project band or electric band.

Julian Joseph
Birth nameJulian Raphael Nathaniel Joseph
Born (1966-05-11) 11 May 1966 (age 57)
London, United Kingdom
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, arranger, broadcaster
Instrument(s)Piano
LabelsEast West
Websitewww.julianjoseph.com

Biography edit

Joseph was born in London and attended Allfarthing Primary School and Spencer Park Secondary School in Wandsworth.[2] He graduated in composition from Berklee College of Music in 1989.[3]

Joseph works in both contemporary and traditional situations with his music. He is also active in jazz education helping to form the jazz syllabus for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in Great Britain.[4]

Starting with his first album The Language of Truth in 1991,[5] Joseph has six albums, one single, and one soundtrack to his credit, and has focused on live performance, composing, broadcasting and teaching. He performed at the 2003 London Jazz Festival and also hosts several radio shows on BBC Radio 3, including Jazz Line-up and Jazz Legends.[6] He has also made two jazz television series for Meridian, a jazz series for Sky TV's Artsworld Channel and the documentary A Festival of Jazz Piano (2006) for BBC Television in Wales directed by Celia Lowenstein.

In September 2010, Joseph was interviewed by Bruce Lindsay, a jazz critic from All About Jazz, who wrote: "Julian Joseph is something of a jazz master of all trades."[7] October that year, Joseph was presented with a BASCA Gold Badge Award in merit for his unique contribution to music.[8]

Joseph founded the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy in January 2013 in London.[9] The Academy encourages young musicians in the development of jazz technique and understanding. Tutors include Tony Kofi and Byron Wallen.

Joseph is also a trustee and vice-president of the National Youth Jazz Collective.

In the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours list he was appointed an OBE for services to music.[10]

Discography edit

As leader/co-leader edit

Year recorded Title Label Notes
1991 The Language of Truth East West With Jean Toussaint (tenor sax), Alec Dankworth (bass), Mark Mondesir (drums), Sharon Musgrave (vocals)[11]
1994? Reality East West With Peter King (alto sax), Jean Toussaint (tenor sax), Charnett Moffett and Wayne Batchelor (bass), Mark Mondesir (drums)[11]
1994 In Concert at the Wigmore Hall East West With Eddie Daniels (clarinet), Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Jason Rebello (piano), Alec Dankworth (bass); in concert[11]
1996? Universal Traveller East West With Reginald Veal (bass), Mark Mondesir (drums)
2009 Dance of the Three Legged Elephants Signum Duo, co-led with Matthew Barley (cello)
2012 Julian Joseph Live at the Vortex in London ASC Solo piano; in concert[12]

Notable albums as sideman edit

Year Leader Title
1991 Guy Barker Isn't It?
2004 Billy Cobham Art of Five
2002 George Coleman Blues Inside Out
1994 Chico Freeman The Unspoken Word
2005 Emilíana Torrini Fisherman's Woman
1999 Don Braden Fire Within
1998 Adam F Music in My Mind
1996 Nina Hagen BeeHappy
1996 Jean Toussaint Nazaire Who's Blues
1992 Courtney Pine Closer to Home
1992 Courtney Pine To the Eyes of Creation
1988 Courtney Pine Destiny's Song + the Image of Pursuance
1986 Courtney Pine Journey to the Urge Within
1990 Steve Williamson A Waltz for Grace

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Julian Joseph". All About Jazz. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  2. ^ Lindsay, Bruce (7 September 2010)"Julian Joseph: Joining Jazz And Baseball", All About Jazz.
  3. ^ "London's Top Jazz Pianist". Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Educator and Consultant for The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music". trumpetguild.org Subtitle: Intro Jazz, paragraph 1. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  5. ^ Turner, Greg. "The Language of Truth: Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  6. ^ "Jazz Line-Up by Julian Joseph". BBC Radio 3. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  7. ^ Lindsay, Bruce (3 September 2010). "Julian Joseph: Joining Jazz and Baseball". All About Jazz. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  8. ^ Paine, Andre (20 October 2010), "Gold Badges For Heather Small, John Paul Jones", Billboard.
  9. ^ Education, Julian Joseph.
  10. ^ "Jazz musicians recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours", Jazz FM, 10 June 2018.
  11. ^ a b c Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (1996). The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD (3rd ed.). Penguin. p. 733. ISBN 978-0-14-051368-4.
  12. ^ Fordham, John (25 January 2012). "Julian Joseph: Live at the Vortex in London – Review". The Guardian.

External links edit