Josh Johnson, Fr 10.07.2026, Gent Jazz Gent

Josh Johnson is a musician who often appears on stage alongside other artists. As an instrumentalist, musical director, and producer, he has collaborated with a range of names, from Jeff Parker and Makaya McCraven to Leon Bridges, as well as Harry Styles and Red Hot Chili Peppers. In 2024, he even won a Grammy for Best Alternative Jazz Album for his production work on The Omnichord Real Book by Meshell Ndegeocello. His approach transcends genre boundaries; traces of jazz, electronica, and ambient music subtly permeate every collaboration he touches.

Still, the versatility of this multi-instrumentalist — with the saxophone as his primary instrument — is most vividly revealed in his solo work. Freedom Exercise (2020) was widely hailed as a melodically rich and stylistically daring jazz album, even making it onto Rolling Stone’s list of Best Music 2020. Its successor Unusual Object (2024) drew equal acclaim for its sparse compositions, subtle layering, and intimate, personal atmosphere. Together, these works position Johnson as one of the most idiosyncratic, innovative voices in contemporary — even futuristic — jazz: experimental and boundary-pushing, yet grounded in deep knowledge of and respect for tradition.

For fans of: Makaya McCraven, Jeff Parker, Shabaka Hutchings, Nubya Garcia