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, 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), and The
Queens College summer music program. He is currently a teacher at the
Sangati Center in San Francisco.