HISTORICAL BIO

 

History 

Ari Joshua was born in Cape Town, South Africa but was raised in Seattle, WA where  his early days as an artist were spent discovering his musical calling. His hard work and raw talent were quickly recognized, and Ari was awarded a scholarship to study music on the East Coast after high school. "Moving to New York and studying music for 5 years was one of the richest experiences of my life," says Ari. “It was my fellow students and mentors at The New School, and Mason Gross School of the Arts, from whom I began to appreciate the true power of musical expression."  

Despite being relatively under the radar, Ari Joshua has recorded, performed and rubbed shoulders with a list that reads like a highly diverse who's who of the music scene today. 

What sets Ari apart is is his ever evolving, consistent practice and openness to playing diverse genres so that every time Ari picks up his instruments, it’s always fresh. “I play with an intensity... as if I were playing my axe for the last time.”  His playing has grabbed the attention of Rock ‘n Roll Legends- Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam), featuring Ari on his Solo Album; Michel Shreive (Santana), who proposed Ari be the lead guitarist of his band; and when Ari started his own Rock Band (Big High), he attracted Barrett Martin (Mad Season & Screaming Trees) and Peter Buck (REM). 

Ari is a founding member of the Seattle Improv Rock group, Space Owl. 

Ari is equally at home playing Jazz. He's played with Seattle drummer, D'vonne Lewis, and Ari is a regular fixture in Hammond Organist, Joe Doria's McTuff collaboration. Ari has also recorded with The Benevento / Russo Duo, Robert Glasper, KJ Sawka, Delvon Lamarr, Ray Paczkowski and Russ Lawton. 

Ari was offered a spot with a well-known touring act in 2010,  but chose to spread his joy for music by opening The Music Factory - a music school in Seattle, WA that has employed over 30 local musicians and taught thousands of young, aspiring musicians over the course of 10 years.  As of Fall, 2018, Ari is taking a break from teaching to focus on performing and recording.  Ari plans to write a book on guitar techniques which he discovered during his tenure at The Music Factory.  

Ari is now releasing a vault of music which he has written and recorded.  It’s an exciting time to be alive!  

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