Josh Krushel is a young force with a passion for experimentation and musical story telling.
Connected to the deep roots of Black American Music while looking forward into the future of experimental techniques - Krushel is filled with conviction and a deep devotion to the idiom. Attempting to illustrate the great convocational power of this music through melodic line, Krushel’s performance sustains great emotion. Krushel Currently resides in the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations(Vancouver), working as a Teacher on call and freelance pianist and composer.
Born in 1999 to musician parents, music was something that he could not escape throughout his childhood. His relationship with the piano started by studying classically under Musicologist and music researcher Jory Debenham in Calgary Alberta. Josh's passion for creation also began during this early development, as he was awarded the ARMTA outstanding student composer award for a short solo piano work in his childhood. Becoming frustrated with the lack of creative opportunities often present within the classical academy, he sought out the teaching of pianist-composer Mark Limacher who instilled a love of improvisation and experimental new music. During this time, Josh began performing in a variety of ensembles across Calgary. He then followed this love to pursue a Piano Performance degree at MacEwan University in Edmonton. While attending MacEwan he had the opportunity to take on a directed study project with Toronto Symphony Orchestra Composer In Residence Emilie Lebel PhD. This project resulted in a set of seven solo piano pieces written and recorded by Josh in May of 2021. Josh has studied arranging and orchestration under film composer John McMillian (Now You see me, Iron Man 3, Hawaii 5-0) as well as piano performance with Chris Andrew and Tom Van Seeters.
Josh’s main love remains being in musical community with other passionate artists, this has lead him to performance opportunities at Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver International jazz festivals, and various venues across Canada such as The Yardbird Suite, Blues on Whyte, The Blue Chair, The Ironwood, Apollos, as well as various other cafes and restaurants. Josh has Also been afforded the opportunity to travel to New York City to Study under pianists’ Ben Patterson and Miki Yamanaka.
In 2023, Josh moved to Vancouver B.C to pursue a Bachelors of Education degree in Secondary Music. He now works as a teacher on call with the Vancouver School Board teaching band and choir, as well as teaching privately and Free-lancing across the city.