Growing up in Smithtown, Josh Kyle always had aspirations to pursue his passion for music. His raw talent and drive to succeed saw him leave the sleepy Macleay town and cut a path through the music industry, winning high praise along the way.
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His latest achievement is an award for 'Jazz Work of The Year' at the APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards for his original work 'Trombone Song Cycle'. It isn't the first accolade the musician has received, but it is the first of this kind he has won.
"This is the first award of this nature that I have won, in the past, I have had many nominations and inclusions on shortlists for various awards, Jazz Bell Awards, National Jazz Awards," Josh said.
"I'm really honoured to win, and hope to continue to make music and develop as a musician and creative artist."
The competition was fierce, and to take out the award Josh had to be nominated, and from those nominations, a panel decided upon a list of four that would be in the running for the national award. The ultimate winner was selected from those four.
I'm a vocalist primarily, and deal mainly in contemporary improvised jazz music, but my favourite way to perform would have to be in an ensemble with other creative musicians.
- Josh Kyle
The winning musical piece, 'Trombone Song Cycle', was composed by Josh, along with Andrew Murray. It was performed by Josh (voice), James Greening, James Macauley, Jordan Murray and Adrian Sherriff (trombones), Andrew Murray acted as the conductor.
"I'm a vocalist primarily, and deal mainly in contemporary improvised jazz music, but my favourite way to perform would have to be in an ensemble with other creative musicians," Josh said.
"I've been doing it professionally nearly all my life, I still play regular gigs, and write, and record original music as well."
Widely considered one of one of the most outstanding male jazz vocalists Australia has ever produced, the Macleay born musician began his journey with a local singing coach.
"I was always into music and started pretty young, I sang in the choir at St Joseph's primary in Kempsey, then it turned into a serious hobby," Josh said.
"I began lessons with Jenny Marks not long after; she is still the best singing teacher.
"I also regularly play in other bands, and teach singing at the Australian Institute of Music where I am one of the program leaders, delivering undergraduate degrees in music from the Melbourne Campus."
To learn more about Josh Kyle, or to see if he is currently touring or releasing new music, head over to his website at www.joshkylemusic.com.
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