Born into a musical family, Josh Feinberg was introduced to music through classical piano at four years old and later, the bass at eight. As Josh entered adolescence, he became interested in improvisation and became increasingly dedicated to music. He began studying jazz and through that path found North Indian classical music. It was the music of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Nikhil Banerjee that made a particularly strong impression on him. From the moment he started studying Hindustani music, Josh was very dedicated to riyaz or practice; it was not unusual for him to practice ten to twelve hours in a day. He bought his first instrument at age fifteen, and studied with Dr. Peter Row while attending the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. In 2005, Josh initiated his training with Ust. Ali Akbar Khan. Josh has also received training and guidance from the maestro’s senior disciples including Sri James Pomerantz, and Dr. George Ruckert. Presently, Josh is continuing his training with Ust. Ali Akbar Khan’s sons Ust. Aashish Khan and Sri Alam Khan, as well as his senior disciple Sri Anindya Banerjee.
Josh regularly performs throughout the US, India, and Canada. Some of his most notable performances and lecture/demonstrations have been organized by Harvard University, ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata, the New England Conservatory of Music, the Gandhi Memorial Center, the University of Florida Gainesville, Purdue University, UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, 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 Sri Samir Chatterjee, Sri Anindya Banerjee and Sri Alam Khan. 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.
In addition to his work in classical Indian music, Josh has explored the possibilities for the sitar through collaborations outside of traditional Hindustani music. Some of his most noteworthy projects have included a collaborations with legendary tap dancer Savion Glover, acclaimed saxophonist Patrick Lamb, and recording on jazz drummer Richie Barshay’s album Homework (which included pianist Herbie Handcock as a special guest). Recently, Josh recorded on cellist Gideon Freudmann’s new album, set for release in Fall of 2011. Josh was also the featured soloist in a series of concerts with the Seattle Coral Company performing Eric Whitacre’s piece Winter, which was composed for choir, orchestra, sitar solo and tanpura accompaniment.
Josh currently resides in Portland, Oregon with his poet-wife Jessica and his daughter Sophia. He teaches sitar and raga music at Lewis and Clark College and Reed College and also maintains a busy teaching and performing schedule. Josh is pursuing pursuing his Masters of Fine Arts through Goddard College.