Internationally acclaimed Sitarist of Maihar Gharana, Josh Feinberg has announced his International Concert Tour titled “Madhura” for the year 2019. He will be visiting India, UAE, UK, Europe, Australia, USA and Canada and will perform solo sitar recital.
Josh regularly tours the US, Canada, India, and Europe. Some of his most notable performances and lecture/demonstrations have been organized by Harvard University, ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata, Boston Center for the Arts, the New England Conservatory of Music, the Gandhi Memorial Center, the University of Florida Gainesville, Purdue University, University of Chicago, the University of Washington, the Utsav Festival produced by Ragamala, Basant Bahar, the 2007 Fulbright Conference in Araungabad, India and many others. Josh has performed with Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, Sri Alam Khan, Pt. Samir Chatterjee, and Sri Anindya Banerjee.
Josh has also been featured on several TV and radio programs across the US and Canada including KPFA in Berkeley, Swar Lahari in San Francisco, and Rag Aur Taal in New York among others. Josh has also accompanied his teacher’s son, the acclaimed sarod player Alam Khan, at prestigious festivals such as Dover Lane, and Saptak, as well as in a national TV broadcast for Doordarshan, one of the largest TV broadcasters in India.
“Music and performance have been an integral part of my being since I began arranging and transposing songs at the age of 5 years old. I’m focused on cultivating my passions as an artist and perfecting my craft along the way.”says Josh.
How is this Jewish young man leading the way for Sitar of the Maihar Gharana
Josh was raised in a musical family & was introduced to music through classical piano at four years old and later, the bass at age of eight. Josh grew to become increasingly dedicated to music and improvisation. At around 12 years old, he decided to be a professional musician and would practice music up to 12 hours a day. Through his jazz studies with Dan Weiss, Josh was introduced to North Indian classical music. The music of Ust. Ali Akbar Khan, and Pt. Nikhil Banerjee made a life-changing impression which has brought him to be a leading sitarist today.
Josh received his initial training on sitar from Vijaya Sundaram. While at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Josh studied sitar with Dr. Peter Row and Dr. George Ruckert, and khyal vocals and raga theory with Warren Senders. In 2005, Josh initiated his training with Ust. Ali Akbar Khan. Josh also received training and guidance from the Ali Akbar Khan-sahib’s senior disciples and sons including Ust. Aashish Khan, Pt. Tejendra Majumdar, Sri Anindya Banerjee, Sri James Pomerantz, and Sri Alam Khan. Josh has also received guidance from Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri and has also learned tabla with Pt. Anindo Chatterjee during his Seattle workshops. In 2013, Josh released his debut CD Homage featuring Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri playing tabla. He recently recorded his second album, One Evening in Spring featuring Pt. Anindo Chatterjee on tabla, which was released in 2014.
In addition to his work in classical Indian music, Josh has explored the possibilities of the sitar through collaborations outside of traditional Hindustani music. Some of his most noteworthy projects have included a collaboration with legendary tap dancer Savion Glover, acclaimed saxophonist Patrick Lamb, and recording on jazz drummer Richie Barshay’s album Homework (which included pianist Herbie Hancock as a special guest). Josh recorded on cellist Gideon Freudmann’s new album Rain Monsters, which was featured on a 2012 episode of the Showtime drama Weeds. Josh was also the featured soloist in a series of concerts with the Seattle Choral Company performing Eric Whitacre’s piece Winter, which was composed for choir, orchestra, sitar solo and tanpura accompaniment.
Josh can be contacted through email VCProjects@outlook.com
