About Me
Josh Feinberg was introduced to music through piano at age 4. He switched to the upright and electric bass at 8. He was soon playing in state orchestras and prestigious youth symphonies across the New York area, performing at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, Hofstra University and Queens College's LeFrak Hall. In the 2000 NYSMA competition, he scored the highest marks in the eastern United States for his jazz bass playing. In 2002, he entered the New England Conservatory of Music, one of the world's oldest and most respected music schools, where he was granted two merit-based scholarships. Though he had been listening to Hindustani music for years, it was then that he first heard the music of Pandit Nikhil Banerjee and was so moved he began studying North Indian Classical sitar with great discipline and enthusiasm. With rigorous practice, sometimes more than 10 hours a day, he progressed quickly. Though he is young, he is being lauded as a promising up and coming artist.
Josh's music is characterized by tastefulness, as well as interesting and logical development. His aesthetic sensibilities provide the listener with a balanced and sensitive experience. Josh's recitals are technically satisfying without being overbearing or showy. The slower sections of his recitals are, like the rest of his music, developed in the style of Pt. Nikhil Banerjee and employs sophisticated mir (bending of notes) and strong emotion. His faster passages are played with intelligence and vigor, while not sacrificing raga. Josh's playing is, of course, strongly influenced by Ustad Ali Akbar Khan-sahib. Khan-sahib's depth of knowledge and emotion, as well as his stunning improvisations, provide Josh with a strong example of what to strive for in music. Ustad Amir Khan's singing also influences Josh's playing, particularly in the style of his gamak (rapid shaking on a note), rhythmic phrasing, and leaping lines. Josh is also very fond of the music of Pt. Malikarjun Mansur.
Some of his most notable performances include recitals at The New England Conservatory, Brandeis University, The University of California at Berkeley, Purdue University, and the Majestic Theater at Emerson College. He has given lecture/demonstrations at institutions such as Harvard University, The Ali Akbar College of Music Annual Festival, Queens College in New York, Stoller Middle School in Oregon, the Pemberton School in Massachusetts, Greens Farms Academy in Connecticut, and a Fulbright Conference in Araungabad, India, among others. He has had his music played on radio stations including KPFT 90.1 FM in Houston, TX and has given live radio recitals on radio stations such as KPFA 94.1 in Berkeley, CA. Josh has also performed on television programs, one which aired throughout the San Francisco Bay area.
Josh has also had the honor of accompanying Dr. Peter Row numerous times at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, New England Conservatory of Music and Amherst College. He also accompanied Anindya Banerjee, his teacher in India, at a concert in Calcutta.
Josh has the distinction of being a graduate of The New England Conservatory of Music. He earned a B.M. in Contemporary Improvisation in 2006. His initial sitar instruction was from Vijaya Sundaram. Josh has studied kheyal (a North Indian Classical vocal tradition) with Warren Senders, and has studied sitar with Dr. Peter Row. Josh has also received talim (training) from Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. During a 3 year period, he studied with Khansahib (as he is known to his students) at the Ali Akbar College of Music, as well as numerous private lessons with the master himself. He has also received training from three of Khan-sahib's senior most disciples including Anindya Banerjee during his 2006- '07 Fulbright scholarship spent in Calcutta, India. Josh has served on faculty at the LearnQuest Indian music school (www.learnquest.org), the Sangati Center in San Fransisco (www.sangaticenter.org) and The Queens College summer music program in New York. Josh currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
