Josh Grossman

Since graduating from the University of Toronto's Jazz Performance Program, Josh Grossman has gained a wealth of experience in the worlds of music performance and administration.

As a trumpeter, Josh has performed in big bands under the direction of Phil Nimmons, Paul Read, Ron Collier and Paul Ashwell; he has performed with the Chris Hunt Tentet since its inception in 2002. Josh is the founding Artistic Director and Conductor for the Toronto Jazz Orchestra (TJO), an 18-piece big band featuring some of Toronto's top jazz talent. Now in its 22nd year, the TJO has released four full-length recordings, has performed with Phil Nimmons, Ingrid Jensen, Christine Jensen, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Seamus Blake, Geoffrey Keezer, and Kurt Elling (among others); has presented musical tributes to Thad Jones, Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington and Radiohead; and has undertaken special projects including the Big Band Gospel Project (with the Toronto Mass Choir) and the Big Band Tap Revue (with five tap dancers).

For four years Josh was Performance Manager for The Glenn Gould School at The Royal Conservatory, where he was responsible for producing the School's annual orchestra and chamber music concerts as well as over 100 master classes each year featuring top musicians and teachers from around the world. Following The Glenn Gould School Josh managed the High Park Choirs of Toronto (now called Young Voices Toronto), a 120-voice children's choir for which he served as the sole administrator; for 10 years he served as Operations Manager for Continuum Contemporary Music, managing all administrative duties for one of Canada's top contemporary chamber ensembles.

Josh was Artistic Director for the Markham Jazz Festival from 2006 to 2009, and since January, 2010 he has been Artistic Director for Toronto Downtown Jazz (TDJ), which each year presents the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, one of Canada's largest international music festivals. Over the past 12 years with TDJ, Josh has sought to re-invigorate the organization's activities, launching new educational and off-season activity, building new bridges into the local jazz community, and encouraging the presentation of those artists who are moving jazz into a new and exciting direction.

In 2017 Josh completed a 6-year term as a member of the Toronto Arts Council (TAC) Music Committee, including four years as the Committee's co-chair and a member of the TAC Board of Directors.