Since graduating from the University of Toronto’s Jazz Performance Program, trumpeter JOSH GROSSMAN has enjoyed an interesting and varied career as a performer, bandleader and arts administrator.
Josh studied trumpet at U of T with Chase Sanborn and Kevin Turcotte. He has performed in big bands under the direction of Phil Nimmons, Paul Read, Ron Collier, and Paul Ashwell, and has been a member of the Chris Hunt Tentet since its inception in 2002.
Josh is the founding Artistic Director and Conductor for the Toronto Jazz Orchestra (TJO), an 18-piece big band featuring some of Toronto’s top jazz talent. Now in its 21st year, the TJO has released four full-length recordings, has performed with Phil Nimmons, Ingrid Jensen, Seamus Blake, Geoffrey Keezer, and Kurt Elling, and has presented a variety of special programs including tributes to the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Stan Kenton and Duke Ellington orchestras, a complete performance of the music from Miles Ahead with trumpeter Kevin Turcotte, the Radiohead Jazz Project, the Big Band Tap Revue (with five tap dancers) and the Big Band Gospel Project with the Toronto Mass Choir.
Josh has served as Performance Manager for The Glenn Gould School at The Royal Conservatory of Music, Manager with the High Park Choirs of Toronto (now Young Voices Toronto), and Operations Manager for Continuum Contemporary Music, one of Canada’s top contemporary chamber ensembles. For four years he was Artistic Director for the Markham Jazz Festival; he also served on the Board of Directors for the Jazz Performance and Education Centre and Toronto Arts Council.
In January, 2010, Josh was named Artistic Director for Toronto Downtown Jazz (TDJ), which produces the annual TD Toronto Jazz Festival, one of Canada’s largest international music festivals, which has evolved into a full-time, year-round position he continues to enjoy today.
This evening’s all-star JOSH GROSSMAN’S TINY BIG BAND features JOSH GROSSMAN (trumpet), CARISSA NEUFELD (piano), MALCOLM CONNOR (bass), and BEN BALL (drums), entertaining in the up-close-and-personal ambience of the Home Smith Bar.