Pianist / singer / composer Josh Johnston (also organist at the Dublin Unitarian Church) performs selections from his third solo CD The Shape Of Things, a collection of piano solo instrumentals stylistically drawing on folk, jazz, pop and classical music.

Josh Johnston is based in Dublin, Ireland. Having completed a degree in Popular Music at Salford University (England), he returned to Dublin in 1998 and continued his musical pursuits there, developing his solo career as well as beginning a second career playing piano live and on record for many other artists, most notably Roesy and violinist David MacKenzie. Musically, his piano style is varied, melodic and atmospheric but never sugary - sometimes recalling shades of Keith Jarrett, other times a more folky sound. He has proven himself to be versatile on the many recordings he has appeared on, and these diverse soundscapes are collected together on his own CDs. He is also organist and musical director at the Unitarian Church in Dublin, and director of the Chambrette Ensemble, a new vocal ensemble formed in January 2010.

Josh’s previous albums (Three Friends 2000 and Asylum Harbour 2008) were noted for his distinctive piano style but also for their lyrics - sometimes playful, sometimes provocative. In The Shape of Things, Johnston boldly abandons lyrics altogether. “Going purely instrumental wasn’t only a response to the turbulent times we live in,” says Johnston, “but when I thought about it, I figured the last thing the world needed today was yet more words. There are both too many words and, at the same time, not enough to give us calm in these times.” The CD features eleven original compositions, a new composition by long-time collaborator David MacKenzie and a unique interpretation of The Late Train by Birr singer/songwriter Roesy with whom Johnston toured regularly from 2001-2006.

10 October 2010, 8pm at Unity.

Admission £8 on the door.


For more information see:
www.joshjohnston.com
www.myspace.com/jjohnston
http://soundcloud.com/joshjohnston