Joshua Ginsburg

Bassist and bandleader Josh Ginsburg is a regular fixture on the world's concert stages and jazz clubs. His music has been described as “vigorously fresh” (Irish Times) and “reveal(ing) itself in gradually unfolding layers” (JazzTimes); his most recent album as a leader, "Zembla Variations”, was chosen as an Album of the Year by the New York City Jazz Record. Josh’s bass playing, Financial Times (London) writes, is “a rock of counterpoint, funk and swing” 

In the past few years, Josh has toured internationally with bands led by Kurt Rosenwinkel, David Friedman, Jeremy Pelt, E.J. Strickland, George Colligan, Jure Pukl, Logan Richardson, Diego Piñera, Tino Derado, and Aruán Ortiz, among others. As a first call New York musician he performed regularly with countless influential musicians.

Josh was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where he absorbed some of that city's musical roots. “I think there was a rhythmic intensity that I learned in Baltimore from the very beginning, as well as a deep love of the jazz tradition.“ Josh went on to study with jazz trailblazer Jackie McLean: ”From Mr. McLean I learned the value and beauty of melody and lyricism. But even more importantly through him, and through the many great musicians I have worked with over the years, I began to see what I value the most in all my musical experiences, the open-hearted spirit of a true improvisor."    

Selected Discography
 

Jim Rotundi- Over Here (Criss Cross 2023) w/Rick Margitza, Danny Grissett and Vladimir Kostadinovic

Theo Croker Quartet- Jazz At Berlin Philharmonic – Sketches of Miles (ACT 2022) w/ Danny Grisset, Gregory Hutchinson, Magnus Lindgren, and Members of the Berlin Philharmonic

Igor Osypov- No Past Human (XJAZZ! Music 2022) w/Logan Richardson, Dima Bondarev, Pavel Widestrand, Fabian Rösch

David Friedman -Three Spheres (Forthcoming) w/ Clara Haberkamp and Tilo Weber

David Friedman- A Christmas Gathering (Mallet Muse Records 2021) w/ Clara Haberkamp and Tilo Weber

E.J. Strickland- The Undying Spirit (Jammin Colors Records 2018) w/ Godwin Louis and Jure Pukl

David Friedman- Generations Quartet (Mallet Muse Records 2018) w/ Clara Haberkamp and Tilo Weber

Joshua Ginsburg- Butterfly Effect EP (Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records 2017) w/ Tino Derado and Marlon Browden (digital only)

Tzumo Arpad- Promise (Hunnia Records 2016) w/ Melissa Aldana, Jure Pukl, Kyle Poole.

Pukl/Nösig Quartet- Live at the Jazz Festival Steyr (Alessa Records 2016) w/Jure Pukl, Daniel Nösig, Tzumo Arpad, and Gregory Hutchinson.

Tim Green- Songs from this Season (True Melody Music 2013) w/ Gilad Hekselman, Obed Calvaire

Josh Ginsburg- Zembla Variations (Brooklyn Jazz Underground 2012) w/ Eli Degibri, George Colligan, Rudy Royston.

Metta Quintet- Big Drum, Small World (Jazzreach 2012) w/ Marcus Strickland, Greg Ward, David Bryant

George Colligan-Living for the City (Steeplechase 2011) w/ E.J. Strickland

Søren Møller- Christian X Variations (Audial 2010) w/ Dick Oatts, Henry Cole

George Colligan- Runaway (Sunnyside, 2008) w/ Tom Guarna, E.J. Strickland

Metta Quintet- Subway Songs (Sunnyside 2006) w/ Mark Gross, Marcus Strickland, Helen Sung

George Colligan- Blood Pressure (Ultimatum, 2006) w/ E.J. Strickland, Johnathan Blake, Boris Koslov

Martin Shack- Headin' Home (Storyville, 2002), w/ Tom Harrell, John Ellis

Metta Quintet- Going to Meet the Man (Koch, 2002) w/ Mark Turner, Kurt Rosenwinkel, George Colligan, Mark Gross

Aaron Parks- The Wizard (Keynote, 2001) w/ Obed Calvaire, Tim Green.

Andrew Adair- States (Fresh Sound, 1999) w/ John Ellis, Mike DiRubbo, Donald Edwards

Thomas Fryland- Songs in My Heart (Music Mecca 1998) w/ Doug Raney, Bernt Rosengren, and Jakob Høyer