Joshua Bowlus began playing piano at age 5 and was trained classically until the age of 15, when he was introduced to jazz during high school. Under the direction of band director Andrew Kidd, Joshua participated in the Spruce Creek High School 12 o'clock Jazz Ensemble from 10th through 12th grade. He learned the basics of jazz very quickly during these first few years, and took private lessons with extraordinary pianist Harold Blanchard. In Joshua's senior year he performed with the school ensemble on a concert tour of France and Spain. Upon graduation from high school, he earned the prestigious Louis Armstrong Jazz Award.
After high school, Joshua attended the University of North Florida from 2002 to 2006, where he studied jazz and business. While attending UNF, Joshua performed and toured with the world-renowned UNF Jazz Ensemble One from 2004 to 2006, as well as with the UNF Jazz Combo One. The UNF ensemble performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival 'Next Generation Festival' in April 2006, where Joshua earned an "Outstanding Soloist" Award for both the big band and combo performances. The UNF J.E.1 was selected from numerous big bands to perform at the actual Monterey Jazz Festival in the fall of 2006. Joshua also performed with the ensemble at the North Texas Jazz Festival, and also traveled and performed with the band on a two-week concert tour of China.
While attending UNF, Joshua has had the opportunity to play and interact with many of the great jazz players of today, including Slide Hampton, Rebecca Parris, Ed Calle, Poncho Sanchez, Benny Green, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and Kenny Garrett. Joshua's main faculty influences at UNF were pianists Keith Javors and Kevin Bales, as well as extraordinary saxophonist Bunky Green, who was also a mentor for Joshua during his later college years. Joshua recently graduated from UNF in May of 2006, and has been performing as a professional musician at numerous venues around Jacksonville and the entire Southeast region. Joshua has performed at several jazz festivals, including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Savannah Jazz Festival, Lakeside Jazz Festival, and the New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival. He currently resides in Jacksonville, where he continues to perform with numerous groups in the Southeast region.
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