Josh Johnson: unusual objects and saxophone stories
The Los Angeles-based saxophonist, composer, and Grammy-winning producer discusses the creative philosophies and inspirations that led to his unique album, Unusual Object.
Today, the Spotlight shines On Josh Johnson, the Los Angeles-based saxophonist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and Grammy Award-winning producer.
Josh joined me earlier this year to talk about his second solo album, Unusual Object, which came out this past April on Northern Spy Records. Equal parts futuristic jazz and modern composition, Josh uses processed saxophone and subtle samples in his unique compositions.
In addition to examining Unusual Object, we discussed the relevance and impact of genre classifications in music, how Josh’s Grammy has led to more opportunities and connections in various music communities, the impact of Chicago’s artistic community on Josh’s development as a musician, courage in the pursuit of creative avenues, and of course, it would not be an episode of Spotlight On if we did not dig into process. So we did.
Josh will be at the Village Vanguard in New York from October 29 through November 3 with Vibraphonist Joel Ross’s Good Vibes ensemble. It should be a good one.
(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Josh Johnson’s album Unusual Object)
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Dig Deeper
• Visit Josh Johnson at joshjohnsonmusic.com
• Follow Josh Johnson on Instagram
• Purchase Unusual Object at Northern Spy Records, Qobuz, or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choice
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Josh Johnson
Musician
Josh Johnson is a saxophonist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and Grammy Award-winning producer. His second solo album, Unusual Object, a striking work of futuristic jazz and modern composition, was released April 5, 2024 on Northern Spy Records. This spare work for processed saxophone and subtle samples shows Johnson further sharpening his unique compositional voice. Unusual Object, Johnson says, “is a development and documentation of a more personal world of sound. What’s it like for me to create the context for my sound, to frame it myself?”
His solo debut Freedom Exercise (Northern Spy) was featured in Rolling Stone’s Best Music of 2020 and Bandcamp’s Best Jazz Albums of 2020. Pitchfork called the record “excellent, daringly melodic” and PostGenre praised it as “a songwriting marvel”.
Johnson is a regular collaborator with some of contemporary music’s most innovative artists, including Jeff Parker, Makaya McCraven, Nate Mercereau, Marquis Hill, and Kiefer. Parker’s widely-acclaimed 2022 record Mondays at the Enfield Tennis Academy features Johnson on saxophone and effects as part of the longstanding quartet. This is the most recent in a series of Parker’s records to highlight Johnson, with the latter also contributing saxophone and synths to 2016’s The New Breed and 2020’s Suite for Max Brown.
Between 2018 and 2022 Johnson held the role of Musical Director for soul singer Leon Bridges, with whom he also played keyboards and saxophone. During his time with Bridges, Johnson performed throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, with… Read More
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