Joshua Rich is a completely self-taught pianist who discovered his gift for playing and composing at the age of 8.  At the age of 12 he wrote his first song, the very catchy children’s song, “Trying Vegetables”. With no formal education, and having to this date never taken a piano lesson, Joshua became a professional musician by age 14, when he appeared twice on the local Boston TV program, “Community Auditions”, which launched the careers of many other artists, including the comedian and actress Sarah Silverman. At the age of 17, Joshua began performing in piano bars (even though he was under age!), and taught himself how to accompany and music direct variety shows at various high schools in the area.

 

Foregoing college in order to pursue a professional musical career, Joshua moved to San Francisco and was signed to a new age piano label which produced his first album of original piano solos, “Discovery”.

His first marriage took him to the Washington, D.C. area, where he soon became a “local treasure”, to quote his fans. Joshua discovered his gift for composing and performing children’s music, and he music directed and played for many productions at the historic Adventure Theater in Glen Echo, Maryland, which featured his original songs. Around this time, he also became a school performer, and created a multi-cultural interactive musical program, “It’s A Global Thing”, which he performed at a multitude of schools and such luminary venues as the Kennedy Center.  Joshua also created, wrote and released the children’s album with the same title, “It’s A Global Thing”.  His follow-up children’s album, “Trying Vegetables”, would come a few years later.  His work with children also led him to work with the award-winning composer and conductor Marvin Hamlisch, who hired him to accompany and musical direct several children’s choirs for several events, including ones for then-Senator Edward Kennedy, and later, then-Vice President Al Gore.

 

In 2000, Joshua was responded to some personal challenges in his life with his breakthrough solo piano album “Rain”. A prolific and versatile composer, he also released several albums of original pop music, jazz and classical improvisations.

 

His piano skills and natural musicality also made Joshua a great fit as a studio musician, and he has played on countless albums over the years, working in studios all over the country, including a chance encounter to drop in at a session with the multi award-winning recording artist, singer, songwriter and arranger, Luther Vandross.

In the late 2000s, a short period of time was spent living and working in New York City, where Joshua performed at piano bars, clubs, and also accompanied Broadway performers.  Returning, to the D.C. area, Joshua fostered his initial love for the movies by becoming an actor and screenwriter, and has appeared in a variety of independent and college films, as well as many commercials.  He has also written several screenplays, and produced a few short films.

With his children getting older, Joshua moved to Colorado, where he is currently based.  It was there he met his current wife, the acclaimed vocalist, composer, multi-instrumentalist and entrepreneur Kari Kraakevik.  Together they formed the jazz duo “Take Two”, which features their original compositions of songs in the style of Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as creative arrangements and performances of songs from the American songbook.  This duo has taken Joshua and Kari across the state and even to Europe, performing in jazz clubs in the UK, Italy and France.

 

Joshua continues to write, perform and share his incredible gift at the piano with audiences all over the world.  He is excited about whatever comes next!