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Josh Feinberg is fast becoming known as one of the most innovative, creative and versatile bassists on the west coast. He’s performed throughout the United States, Canada, the Netherlands and Germany and venues such as Alice Tully Hall and Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, Portland’s St. John’s Cathedral, Jimmy Mak’s, Boston’s Ryles Jazz Club, Queens College’s LeFrak Hall among others. Since moving to Portland in 2008, Josh has played with Pink Martini’s Thomas Lauderdale, jazz mandolinist Don Stiernberg, Italian classical mandolinist Carlo Aonzo, blues and slide guitarist Mary Flower, Peter Ostroushko, Heather Masse of the Wailin Jennys, Brian Oberlin, Pete Krebs and cello-bop pioneer Gideon Freudmann.
Raised in New York City, Josh started his musical career in high school playing in youth symphonies and jazz clubs. He has studied with many of the greatest jazz musicians alive including Paul Bley, Joe Morris, Bob Moses, Drew Gress, Dan Weiss, Bob Bowen, Jacob Sacks, Jerry Bergonzi, and Dominique Eade. Josh has also performed in masterclasses with Kenny Wheeler and Dave Holland.
After receiving his bachelors degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Josh went to India to study Hindustani music on a Fulbright scholarship. Also an accomplished sitarist, Josh studied Indian music with Ali Akbar Khan, one of the greatest musical minds of his generation. Josh has also trained with Khan’s sons and students including Aashish Khan, and Alam Khan. His experience with Indian music gives him a fresh approach to the bass and a unique approach to teaching music and improvisation.
Josh also co-leads a boundary-bending duo with Brian Oberlin called Bass+Mandolin (www.bassmandolin.com) which is quickly gaining recognition. Bass+Mandolin performs traditional and original compositions inspired by bluegrass, Americana, folk and classical music. In addition to touring widely throughout the northwest since their inception in 2009, Bass+Mandolin has released their debut CD entitled ‘Onward’ and toured Germany and the Netherlands.
Josh can be seen regularly with groups as diverse as Sorta Bison Quartet (modern jazz), Wayward Vessel (alternative folk/bluegrass), the Oregon Mandolin Orchestra (principal bass), the Willamette Falls Symphony (principal bass), Peter ‘Spud’ Siegel (swing, Irish), and Dave Langenes (swing) among others.
Josh lives and teaches in Portland, OR with his wife Jessica, a wonderful poet and teacher, and his daughter Sophia.