The Catalyst
Since I started seeking opportunities to expand my keyboard playing a few years ago, I’ve seen Josh Rosen all over the place. He’s a regular at the Loud Jamz and Soul Vibes Collective monthly events. He plays with many different groups and is versatile, pro and polished. Prior to our conversation I had very little idea how he came to be everywhere, all the time. Now I know it is due to having a strong background and discovering that playing music is what he does best. He has solid strategies for dealing with all the challenges and a work ethic that has earned him a hectic freelancing schedule.
It’s funny but in thinking about our conversation, I keep seeing an image of my tenth grade Intro to Chemistry and Physics class, where we students dropped small pieces of metal into test tubes full of hydrochloric acid. It was a lesson on catalysts and that’s what Josh loves doing. He’s causing a reaction by bringing together musicians of different backgrounds to merge into each other’s worlds. This strikes me as the perfect outlet for his love of songs, writers, and diverse styles.
He said that as a child, he dreamed of hearing R and B artists performing with Metal bands. He’s now made that wish a reality by finding singers and players to participate in multiple shows such as the George Michael and Sade shows. These events, which have benefitted various charities in town have led to unexpected collaborations, beautiful friendships, and great musical experiences and memories. And now he’s planning to lead a monthly Writer’s Nights, offering songwriters the opportunity to have four of their songs performed with a full band.
It’s so clear that following his artistic urges has brought Josh some joy and more satisfaction to his musical sideman life. He mentioned getting to play songs he normally wouldn’t find on a typical setlist, and learning the rules and then breaking them. This seems like a powerful antidote to burnout, and an incredible way to experience great songs—by changing them and allowing them to morph into something different, unique and fresh.