A rock of counterpoint, funk and swing Financial Times, London
Bassist and bandleader Josh Ginsburg is a regular fixture on the world's concert stages and jazz clubs. His music has been described as “vigorously fresh” (Irish Times) and “reveal(ing) itself in gradually unfolding layers” (JazzTimes); his most recent album as a leader, "Zembla Variations”, was chosen as an Album of the Year by the New York City Jazz Record. Josh’s bass playing, Financial Times (London) writes, is “a rock of counterpoint, funk and swing”
In the past few years, Josh has toured internationally with bands led by Kurt Rosenwinkel, David Friedman, Jeremy Pelt, E.J. Strickland, George Colligan, Jure Pukl, Logan Richardson, Diego Piñera, Tino Derado, and Aruán Ortiz, among others. As a first call New York musician he performed regularly with countless influential musicians.
Josh was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where he absorbed some of that city's musical roots. “I think there was a rhythmic intensity that I learned in Baltimore from the very beginning, as well as a deep love of the jazz tradition.“ Josh went on to study with jazz trailblazer Jackie McLean: ”From Mr. McLean I learned the value and beauty of melody and lyricism. But even more importantly through him, and through the many great musicians I have worked with over the years, I began to see what I value the most in all my musical experiences, the open-hearted spirit of a true improvisor."
Selected Discography
Jim Rotundi- Over Here (Criss Cross 2023) w/Rick Margitza, Danny Grissett and Vladimir Kostadinovic
Theo Croker Quartet- Jazz At Berlin Philharmonic – Sketches of Miles (ACT 2022) w/ Danny Grisset, Gregory Hutchinson, Magnus Lindgren, and Members of the Berlin Philharmonic
Igor Osypov- No Past Human (XJAZZ! Music 2022) w/Logan Richardson, Dima Bondarev, Pavel Widestrand, Fabian Rösch
David Friedman -Three Spheres (Forthcoming) w/ Clara Haberkamp and Tilo Weber
David Friedman- A Christmas Gathering (Mallet Muse Records 2021) w/ Clara Haberkamp and Tilo Weber
E.J. Strickland- The Undying Spirit (Jammin Colors Records 2018) w/ Godwin Louis and Jure Pukl
David Friedman- Generations Quartet (Mallet Muse Records 2018) w/ Clara Haberkamp and Tilo Weber
Joshua Ginsburg- Butterfly Effect EP (Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records 2017) w/ Tino Derado and Marlon Browden (digital only)
Tzumo Arpad- Promise (Hunnia Records 2016) w/ Melissa Aldana, Jure Pukl, Kyle Poole.
Pukl/Nösig Quartet- Live at the Jazz Festival Steyr (Alessa Records 2016) w/Jure Pukl, Daniel Nösig, Tzumo Arpad, and Gregory Hutchinson.
Tim Green- Songs from this Season (True Melody Music 2013) w/ Gilad Hekselman, Obed Calvaire
Josh Ginsburg- Zembla Variations (Brooklyn Jazz Underground 2012) w/ Eli Degibri, George Colligan, Rudy Royston.
Metta Quintet- Big Drum, Small World (Jazzreach 2012) w/ Marcus Strickland, Greg Ward, David Bryant
George Colligan-Living for the City (Steeplechase 2011) w/ E.J. Strickland
Søren Møller- Christian X Variations (Audial 2010) w/ Dick Oatts, Henry Cole
George Colligan- Runaway (Sunnyside, 2008) w/ Tom Guarna, E.J. Strickland
Metta Quintet- Subway Songs (Sunnyside 2006) w/ Mark Gross, Marcus Strickland, Helen Sung
George Colligan- Blood Pressure (Ultimatum, 2006) w/ E.J. Strickland, Johnathan Blake, Boris Koslov
Martin Shack- Headin' Home (Storyville, 2002), w/ Tom Harrell, John Ellis
Metta Quintet- Going to Meet the Man (Koch, 2002) w/ Mark Turner, Kurt Rosenwinkel, George Colligan, Mark Gross
Aaron Parks- The Wizard (Keynote, 2001) w/ Obed Calvaire, Tim Green.
Andrew Adair- States (Fresh Sound, 1999) w/ John Ellis, Mike DiRubbo, Donald Edwards
Thomas Fryland- Songs in My Heart (Music Mecca 1998) w/ Doug Raney, Bernt Rosengren, and Jakob Høyer
Hnita Jazzclub, Belgium. Guy van de Poel
Download Joshua Ginsburg's Butterfly Effect Press Kit
A rock of counterpoint, funk and swing Financial Times, London
“Zembla Variations” Selected Best New Releases 2012-Album of the Year, New York City Jazz Record
Das ist wirklich eine Topband, nicht zuletzt durch den Bassisten Josh Ginsburg, der wohl die nächsten fünf Jahre in Berlin eine neue Richtschnur spannt. Dietmar Liste, InJazz.de (concert with Kalle Kalima, Peter Weniger, and Heinrich Köbberling)
“Vigorously fresh compositions...Top- drawer acoustic jazz from the still swinging heart of the tradition.” ★★★★ Cormac Larkin, Irish Times
“Remarkably alive and passionate.” Canadian Audiophile
“...reveal(s) itself in gradually unfolding layers” ★★★½ JazzTimes
“(Ginsburg) defines a modern, personal version of the concept of swing” Jazzmozaïek (Belgium)
“Each song attacks in a different way, but held together by Ginsburg’s consistently inventive ways...Non-linear, twisting and punchy melodies are often matched to conventional tempos and at other times, tricky time signatures are married to straightforward melodies. The meticulousness of big band arrangements find their way into every song, so it’s easy to forget there’s just four of them performing...a fully realized debut that manages to entertain while it goes exploring” SomethingElse!.com
“...with Royston leading the way, the tune explodes out of the speakers, leaving the listener exhilarated. People complain that jazz is not relevant or exciting - those folks need to sit down for a generous helping of Josh Ginsburg's ‘Zembla Variations.’ Intelligent, melodic, exciting, mature 21st Century music that makes one smile.” StepTempest.com
“rewards repeated listening.” Birdistheworm.com
“uncanny rhythmic sensibility” Alibi.com
“From the sound to the harmony, from the compositions to the pathos, everything is under control and under the fingers of Ginsburg & Co.“★★★★ All About Jazz Italia
Joshua Ginsburg Trio with Tino Derado and Marlon Browden. Berlin, DE
"Old World" Joshua Ginsburg Butterfly Effect w/ Tino Derado and Marlon Browden. Berlin, DE
"Rust Belt"- Joshua Ginsburg Butterfly Effect
Joshua Ginsburg Group with Dayna Stephens, George Colligan ad E.J. Strickland Smalls, NYC
w/ Will Vinson, Lage Lund, John Davis, Brooklyn, NY
w/ Will Vinson, Lage Lund, John Davis, Brooklyn, NY
Content Link Block
released January 31, 2012 on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records
Joshua Ginsburg- Bass
Eli Degibri- Tenor and Soprano Saxophone
George Colligan- Piano and Fender Rhodes
Rudy Royston-Drums
All Compositions by Joshua Ginsburg, Grubsnig Music (ASCAP)
Download or CD available through bandcamp, BJUR Store, iTunes, Amazon etc.
Press Inquiries:
Jason Byrne/RedCat Publicity redcatjazz@mac.com
in Germany/Austria:
Judith Kobus/Cubus Music info@cubus-music.de
Booking Inquiries:
booking@bjurecords.com